Alappuzha: In a shocking turn of events, a young athlete died and three of her colleagues were battling for their lives after they attempted suicide at the Sports Authority of India centre in Kerala, prompting a stunned Sports Ministry to launch an inquiry.
According to the police, the students had been scolded by the authorities after they were found boozing the other day. But the relatives of the athletes alleged that the incident happened due to ragging by seniors.
Aparna’s mother said the girl was hit by her seniors and coach due to which she could neither sit nor stand. She protested before ministers V.S. Sivakumar and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishanan, who came to pay their respects to the deceased athlete. The police have reportedly recovered a suicide note which alleged harassment by seniors.
Hostel warden Ragini denied the allegations of physical harassment.
“No complaint about it has been received so far,” she told television channels on Thursday. Mr Injeti Srinivas, SAI director-general, has already reached here for an on-the-spot assessment.
District collector N. Padmakumar said that an investigation has been ordered to ascertain the motive behind the episode. After visiting the girls at the hospital, he said that the death happened due to a delay in identifying what they had consumed.
Ernakulam range IG M.R. Ajithkumar ordered an inquiry by the crime branch Deputy SP. The state Human Rights Commission has also taken up the case. Mr G. Kishore, SAI Kerala director, refused to comment saying an investigation is ongoing. “If any official is found guilty, they will be punished,” he said.
The body of Aparna was cremated at 5.30 pm after legal and medical proceedings. Mr M.R. Raveendra Das, Aryad panchayat president, demanded a thorough investigation, especially as the girl’s parents suspect foul play.
'It's very hard to take':
