The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has stepped in to investigate the controversial deaths of two young men in Dharmapuri district, after their grieving families raised serious allegations that the incident was not an accident but a case of premeditated murder.
What Happened on Sikkardanalli Highway?
On the night of November 26, a tragic event unfolded on the Sikkardanalli highway in the Sonnampatti area. N Sunil Kumar, aged 19, and R Murugan, aged 21, lost their lives when the two-wheeler they were travelling on met with a severe accident. The Palacode police immediately registered a case based on the initial assumption that an unidentified vehicle had collided with their bike and fled the scene.
From Accident to Allegation: Families Raise Suspicion
However, the narrative began to shift as the kin and relatives of the deceased youths voiced deep-seated suspicions. They challenged the initial police theory, strongly alleging that the deaths of Sunil Kumar and Murugan were not a result of a mere hit-and-run but were premeditated murders. This grave accusation prompted the need for a higher-level inquiry.
Responding to these serious claims, a team from the NCSC visited Dharmapuri on Wednesday to conduct an on-the-ground investigation. The team comprised NCSC director Sathu Ravivarman, research officer Natarajan Suresh, and senior investigator S Lister.
NCSC's On-Spot Inquiry and Family Demands
The officials undertook a meticulous examination of the accident site on the Sikkardanalli highway to gather first-hand evidence. Following this, they held detailed inquiries with the heartbroken families of the two youths to understand the basis of their allegations.
During these interactions, the relatives of the deceased made a firm and clear demand to the visiting NCSC officials. They insisted that the case be transferred to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) for a thorough, impartial, and transparent probe to uncover the truth behind the tragic incident.
The involvement of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes adds a significant layer of scrutiny to this case, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations made by the families. The demand for a CB-CID investigation underscores the lack of faith in the initial findings and seeks to ensure that justice is served for Sunil Kumar and Murugan.
