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QChennai: Kin Blame Prof for IIT-M Student's Suicide & More

1. Kin of IIT-M Student Allege Harassment by Profs, Friends Disagree

Three days after 19-year-old Kollam native Fathima Latheef, a first-year student at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Madras, was found hanging from the ceiling fan in her hostel room in IIT Madras, her father has demanded a probe. Speaking to

The Quint, her father Abdul Latheef alleged that,“I have all the proof. A lot of professors have harassed her. We still don’t know what kind of harassment she has faced. If these teachers are arrested, we will know.”

Her family has alleged harassment and caste discrimination had forced their daughter to take the extreme step.

Read the full story here.

Also Read: 3 Student Suicides Rattle TN, Oppn Demands NEET Be Scrapped

2. Social Activist Mugilan Granted Bail in Karur Sexual Assault Case
Nearly five months after Tamil Nadu-based social and environmental activist Mugilan disappeared, he has been spotted at a railway station in Andhra Pradesh.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday granted bail to social activist Mugilan in the Karur sexual assault case. Justice GR Swaminathan, who passed the order, observed that the explanation given by the activist for his disappearance is a concocted story.

However, he also pointed out, “Though the allegations in the case are no doubt serious in nature, it is quite obvious that the defacto complainant and Mugilan were in a consensual relationship since 2017 and the complaint had been filed only in March 2019.” The judge also noted that the petitioner has participated and led several protests against the Jallikattu ban, Sterlite and hydrocarbon projects among others.

(Source: The New Indian Express)

Also Read: Missing Anti-Sterlite TN Activist Mugilan Arrested in Rape Case

3. Smart Makeover: Pedestrian Plaza at Chennai's T Nagar Inaugurated

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami opened the pedestrian plaza, under smart city mission, in T Nagar on Wednesday. Flanked by cabinet colleagues, including Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani, he checked various features of the pedestrian plaza- a 700-m stretch at Pondy Bazaar built at a cost of Rs 39.86 crore. He also opened the 23 streets, redesigned at a cost of Rs 19.11 crore in Kodambakkam zone.

The stretch was lit up in the evening and a few hundred people lined up to get a glimpse. The stretch now has seven play areas for children, clusters of seats under trees and planters have been set up. Provisions have been made underground for utilities including electrical, telecommunication and metro water lines.

(Source: The New Indian Express)

4. ‘Not Given Masks or Boots’: Brother of Manual Scavenger Who Died 22-year-old Ranjithkumar is furious his brother had to face such a horrid death.

Twenty-two-year-old Ranjithkumar stands forlorn outside a government mortuary in Royapettah, Chennai. Dressed in a black T-shirt, he runs his fingernails darkened by grime across his face, a vacant expression in his eyes. His hair is matted with muck, specks of which cover his clothing.

On Monday night, it was close to 10:30 pm when Arun and Ranjith left their residence at Ice House in Chennai along with three other men, on the instructions of a 45-year-old contractor named Dhandapani. The task given to them was to clean two water tanks and a septic tank in basement number 3 of the Express Avenue mall in Chennai.

Read the full story here.

Also Read: Manual Scavenger Dies Trying to Save Brother from Septic Tank

5. Youth Tries to Rape Girl on the Way Back from School in Dharmapuri
The relatives of a minor girl took to blocking roads here, demanding the arrest of a youth who tried to rape the girl as she was returning from school.

On Tuesday night, the relatives of 12-year-old Vanitha (name changed), resorted to a protest in front of the Marandahalli police station, demanding the arrest of a 26-year-old youth, who according to them tried to rape Vanitha. The girl, studying in the local government school, was returning home around 5:30 pm that day.

The accused had noticed the girl coming alone on the ghat section road, and took her to an isolated place. Later, as he tried to rape her, the girl cried out for help and was saved due to the timely intervention of local people who came to the place. They also nabbed the accused though he attempted to flee the place on his two-wheeler. He was handed over to the Marandahalli police.

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