Madras HC orders transfer of Thanjavur student death case to CBI

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Monday ordered the transfer of the investigation into the alleged suicide of a 17-year-old student in Thanjavur to the CBI.

Lavanya was found dead on January 19. Immediately, there were allegations of forcible conversion at the Catholic school where she studied. The BJP took up the case, with party state unit chief K. Annamalai claiming the fight for justice was not against any religion.

A probe by the state education department into Lavanya's death found no evidence of forcible conversion, but referred to harassment of the child by her stepmother.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had accused the BJP of pursuing communal politics over the issue.

Lavanya's parents had approached the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, alleging that they did not have faith in the state police investigation. Annamalai, who visited Lavanya's home in Ariyalur on Sunday, welcomed the order of the Madurai High Court.