Plea to transfer probe into death of 16-year-old boy

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Madurai police to file a status report to a petition that sought transfer of probe into the death of a 16-year-old boy in Madurai to any other investigating agency.

Justice R. Vijayakumar was hearing the petition filed by K. Yogalakshmi. The petitioner, mother of the boy, said her son, who had gone missing on September 6, was found dead the next day in a pond near Anaiyur pumping station.

She said her son had gone out with his friends that afternoon and had failed to return home. When she asked his friends about him, they gave her contradictory statements, she said.

Preliminary reports said it was suspected that the boy while playing in the pond had drowned. However, the family of the boy alleged that he was in a relationship with a girl from another caste. He had been assaulted by the girl’s family. They suspected foul play.

The petitioner complained that Koodal Pudur police were not conducting a fair investigation into the case and sought the transfer of the probe to any other investigating agency. The court posted the matter for hearing to September 24.