Five days after a 27-year-old woman from Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu immolated herself over a 'false case' against her family, she has succumbed to her injuries. Seetha died on Thursday at the Madurai Government Hospital after suffering from 60% burns. Enraged by her death, her family now plans to approach the High Court for justice.
On December 23, a 35-year-old man named Enavarsamy from the same neighbourhood allegedly entered Seetha's home in an inebriated condition and attempted to sexually assault her. Her parents and brother then pushed the man away to save Seetha and in the effort wounded him. The police then filed a case against the family for assaulting the alleged harasser but failed to take any action against Enavarsamy. To make matters worse, the he had already been to jail once for stalking and misbehaving with Seetha in 2015.
The family accused a local politician and the police of protecting Enavarsamy due to personal relations.
Seetha and her family were then forced to get anticipatory bail in order to avoid arrest. Frustrated by the ordeal, Seetha allegedly immolated herself on Saturday. Following this, a case was filed against Enavarsamy by the police.
"What has happened to my sister is not suicide but murder," says Pandian, Seetha's brother. "We are going to go to the High Court for justice. Enavarsamy, the inspector and writer must be charged with abetment to suicide. They are all responsible for this death. My family will fight for justice till our last breath," he adds.
A post mortem has been conducted but doctors had predicted earlier this week that Seetha will not survive the massive burns that she had sustained.
When TNM had contacted inspector Ramraj who was handling the case, he claimed to have no knowledge about the alleged assault. The local AIADMK leader meanwhile, admitted to telling the police to not file a case against either party, as it would lead to caste tensions.