After three students commit suicide, demand for action against education mafia grows

CHENNAI: Two days after three students in Villupuram committed suicide blaming the college management for charging exorbitant fees but lacking infrastructure, the chairman of SVS College on Monday surrendered before a court in Chennai.

The suicide note left behind by students Priyanka, Saranya and Monisha accused the SVS college management of charging them excess fees and of torturing them.

In the two-page suicide note, the naturopathy students said: “Despite several complaints…no action has been taken. We have worked more doing menial jobs here than studies….We are committing suicide so that action can be taken against this college. Despite several complaints no action has been taken. We have done more menial jobs here than studies….We are committing suicide so that action can be taken against this college"

The family however called it murder, suspecting foul play on the part of the college. The post-mortem carried out at Villupuram on the three bodies suggested that the three students died due to drowning and that there were no visible external injuries on their bodies.

While the families of Saranya and Priyanka collected their bodies, the family of Monish approached the Madras High Court demanding that a fresh autopsy be carried out in Chennai. The High Court has directed the state govt to preserve the body until Wednesday – the next date of hearing.

Tamilarasan, father of Monisha said, “I still wait for justice and hope. Request all political parties and students to lend support to us so we may get justice"

Vasuki Subramanian, the chairman of the institute surrendered before a court in Chennai. Police have registered a case of abetment of suicide, extortion and cheating.

Meanwhile, the MGR Medical University claimed the college at Villupuram did not have affiliation for the year 2015-2016, and that a decision on transferring the remaining students is still in the process.

Geethalakshmi, vice chancellor of MGR Medical University said “SVS college did not have affiliation for 2015-2016. The website clearly mentions this"

Deeply distressed over the loss of their 19-year-old daughter, Monisha’s family also demanded that the case be transferred to the state’s CB-CID and that a compensation of Rs. 25 lakh rupees be paid.