Officials from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Wednesday conducted an inquiry into the deaths of two young men in a road accident in Dharmapuri district, following allegations from their families that the incident may have been a case of premeditated murder rather than a simple crash.
The youths — N. Sunil Kumar (19) and R. Murugan (21) — died on the night of November 26 when the two-wheeler they were travelling on skidded along the Sikkardanalli highway in Sonnampatti, within the Palacode police limits. The Palacode police initially registered a case based on preliminary information that an unidentified vehicle may have rammed the two-wheeler and sped away.
Families raise doubts over accident theory
Relatives of the deceased, however, voiced concerns, stating that the nature of the injuries and circumstances surrounding the crash raised suspicions of deliberate harm. They questioned whether the deaths were accidental and called for a more rigorous investigation.
On Wednesday, NCSC officials — Director Sathu Ravivarman, Research Officer Natarajan Suresh, and Senior Investigator S. Lister — inspected the accident site and held enquiries with the families of the victims to gather first-hand information about their concerns.
Call for CB-CID inquiry
The families have formally demanded that the case be transferred to the CB-CID for an independent and comprehensive probe. They argued that only a specialised investigative agency could uncover the truth behind the deaths, given their doubts about the initial assessment.
NCSC representatives assured the families that their grievances would be documented and forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further action. They emphasised that the Commission is mandated to ensure justice in cases where members of Scheduled Castes face potential rights violations or inadequate investigation.
Police continue investigation
The Palacode police stated that the inquiry remains open and that additional evidence is being gathered. Officers said they are awaiting further forensic details to determine whether the deaths were consistent with an accident or point toward criminal involvement.
Awaiting further action
As the families continue to seek clarity and accountability, the NCSC’s involvement adds weight to their demand for a CB-CID inquiry. Authorities in Dharmapuri are expected to review the Commission’s findings and decide next steps in the coming days.