Hours after the news broke that a suspect, 22-year old Ramkumar, was arrested in Tirunelveli in the Swathi murder case, the media approached Swathi’s family for their reaction.
The family who were in Srirangam to conduct rituals following Swathi’s death said that though they understood the media’s constraints, they were disturbed by one or two news channels that followed Swathi’s father as he performed the rituals.
During the ceremonies, a few Tamil TV channels are reported to have barged in asking for an on-camera reaction.
Even as the family moved away from the cameras, a TV reporter with a 24*7 news channel went on live complaining that the family was not talking to them, and demanded that they do.
The family has requested the media to give them their space.
Speaking to The News Minute, Swathi’s sister Nithya said, “Please, at least now, allow us to peacefully perform our rituals. We need our privacy and time to mourn. This isn't happy or good news that every move needs to be covered. Let the family have their own time to perform rituals peacefully and traditionally. We are deeply hurt and shocked; let the media not add more to the wound. This is our humble request with folded hands. Thanks.”
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