Dalit principal's suicide in Mangaluru: Kin to approach Home Minister

MANGALURU: Unhappy with the slow pace in the investigation into the death of Sudesh, his relatives and Dalit activists have decided to meet the Home Minister demanding justice.

Sudesh, who was serving as the principal of Smt D Chennamma PU College in Kodagu, committed suicide in a lodge near KSRTC Bus stand in Mangaluru on January 21.

His family members had alleged that Sudesh took the extreme step following mental harassment from some of the management committee members, who were unahappy that he belonged to Scheduled Caste community. A case of abetment for suicide and SC/ST Atrocities Act was booked against the college authorities.

But family members and activists feel that the investigation is moving in snail’s pace. “It is almost two months since Sudesh’s death and the investigation is very slow.

There has been no proper inquiry, the spot where Sudesh committed suicide has not been visited, no statement has been taken from the family members. There is delay in investigation,” Sudesh’s relative Shrinivas, who is also a leader of Dalit Sangharsha Samithi, told Deccan Chronicle.

“Police have to conduct investigation to know the persons who harassed Sudesh, which forced him to take this extreme step. Those who were responsible should be arrested at the earliest,” he said.

Shrinivas also said that all the dues that the college has to legally provide to the wife of Sudesh too should be paid at the earliest. “We will meet the Home Minister and DG-IGP asking them to speed up the investigation. There are also plans to meet the Chief Minister. Health Minister has assured us to help us in meeting them. We will go to Bengaluru next week,” Shrinivas added.

A memorandum demanding thorough investigation has already been handed over to SP, IGP, DC and Commission in Mangaluru.