Prime accused, Sivaraman dies in custody in fake NCC camp case
CHENNAI: In an unexpected turn of events, Sivaraman, a 30-year-old accused of running a fraudulent NCC camp and sexually assaulting minors, was reported dead in hospital early Friday. The death, coming days after his arrest, has stirred controversy and heightened public ire.
Sivaraman, a self-proclaimed member of NTK, organised the fake camp, which was held at Kingsley Gardens Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Bargur Kanthikuppam from August 5-9. Despite the school’s lack of official NCC affiliation, as many as 41 students, 17 of whom were girls, participated in the ill-conceived camp.
On August 8, reports surfaced that Sivaraman had assaulted a Class 8 student, leading to his arrest under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act by the Bargur All-Women’s Police. There are also suspicions of sexual harassment involving a Class 11 student during the camp.
BJP Tamil Nadu Chief, Annamalai, has expressed deep concern over Sivaraman’s death and raised questions about the subsequent sudden death of his father, implying foul play or larger systemic issues. The community demands transparency and thorough investigation into these sequential tragedies.
Sivaraman, who was closely associated with the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) and reportedly held the position of Krishnagiri East District Secretary in the party’s youth wing, died early Friday morning while receiving treatment for a leg fracture. His death, along with the sudden death of his father, has sparked widespread suspicion and controversy.
The scandal first came to light on August 16, when a 13-year-old girl, who attended the unauthorized NCC camp, lodged a complaint with the police. The camp, held from August 5 to 9 at Kingsley Gardens Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Bargur Kanthikuppam, was organized without any official affiliation to the NCC. A total of 41 students, including 17 girls, participated in the camp, which involved “military-like” training sessions, including night shifts where students were deployed to guard the school compound.
According to reports, Sivaraman sexually assaulted a Class 8 girl on the night of August 8 and is suspected of harassing other girls during the camp. When the victim reported the incident to the school principal, she was allegedly told to keep quiet. It was only after returning home and visiting a hospital that the girl revealed the assault to her parents, prompting them to contact the police.
In response, the Krishnagiri police arrested Sivaraman and 11 others on August 18. Those arrested include the school correspondent Santhan, principal Sathish Kumar, teachers Gomathi and Jenifer, and NCC trainers Sakthivel, Indu, and Sathya Subramani. Krishnagiri Superintendent of Police P. Thangadurai stated that the crimes occurred during the week-long camp, where the girls were housed in the school auditorium.
As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that Sivaraman had a history of similar offenses and was associated with NTK leader Seeman. Following his arrest, NTK expelled Sivaraman from the party, distancing themselves from the scandal. The NCC Directorate issued a statement on August 19, clarifying that the incident had no connection with any official NCC activities or personnel. They emphasized that the camp was unauthorized and that the individuals involved had no ties to the NCC.
The district collector, KM Sarayu, confirmed significant violations in the camp’s organization, including the lack of permission to host the camp, the failure to verify the organizer’s credentials, and the absence of authorized NCC personnel. In light of these revelations, the NCC Directorate issued new guidelines, mandating that only trained and authorised NCC officers, particularly women officers for girls’ camps, should conduct such activities.
The incident has shocked the parents and they are forced to think if they should send their daughters to such camps. Some said there have been allegations in sports training camps earlier. Now it has spread to NCC which is to train students to discipline.
Krishnagiri district SP T Thangadurai said, “Sivaraman was admitted to the Salem government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical college hospital for treatment for a fracture in his right leg while trying to escape from the special police team that had cornered him. He reportedly attempted to suicide by consuming rate poison on 16 and 18. But he died without responding to treatment.
TN BJP chief K Annamalai said that the sudden death of Sivaraman and his father raises suspicion. He said,“the deaths of prime accused Sivaraman and his father Ashok Kumar raises suspicion. He might have been killed fearing he would have named of vips. The deaths raise doubts which are an attempt to protect someone. Silverman died while in custody even before the SIT begins its probe.
TN BJP media wing functionary Karthik Gopinath said in a tweet that the sudden deaths of Sivaraman and his father Ashok raise doubts. Was it done to protect someone or VIPs involved in the sexual assault school girls in the pretext organising NCC camps (fake). Was he killed fearing he may tell the names of the people involved in the heinous crime? It is a blatant and clear attempt to protect someone as both deaths occurred mysteriously. His father was killed in a road accident. The SIT should conduct a thorough probe and answer the questions raised above”.
https://x.com/karthikgnath/status/1826894664789586421
TN CM M K Stalin on August 21 ordered the setting up of a SIT team led by IG of police K Bhuvaneswarai to probe the sexual assault on students at a fake NCC camp. He wanted the probe report with 15 days and the charge sheet to be filed within 60 days. The trainer had conducted camps in a few schools and colleges. One more rape case has been booked against Sivaraman. He had organised similar NCC camp at a private school in Krishnaigiri town in January this year when he threatened a 14 year old girl participant and raped her. Now the survivor lodged a complaint with all women police in krishnagiri.
He is booked under POCSO act. There was a complaint against him posing as an advocate and cheating one (Sakthivel) of Rs.36 lakh. In the complaint he said “some people had forged my property and Sivaraman approached me with a promise to restore the ownership of the property and collected Rs.36 lakh. He did not keep his promise”. Sivaraman was facing case besides POCSO charges, sexual harassment to minors, cheating, forgery and all. So his sudden death and his father in an accident raise many doubts. Only a fair independent probe will reveal the truth.
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