Tamil Nadu: CBI rules out religious conversion angle in schoolgirl suicide case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Madras High Court's Madurai bench that no attempts were made to convert Lavanya, a 17-year-old student, whose suicide on December 19, 2022, led to widespread controversy.

In Short

• Lavanya, 17, died by suicide on December 19, 2022
• BJP's K Annamalai shared edited clip alleging conversion
• CBI found no proof of religious coercion in its probe

The Central Bureau of Intelligence (CBI) has informed the Madras High Court's Madurai bench that there were no attempts to religiously convert Lavanya, a 17-year-old student, who had died by suicide in 2022.

Lavanya, a student of Sacred Hearts Higher Secondary School in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur, died by suicide on December 19, 2022. Her death sparked a political controversy after the BJP State President K Annamalai shared an edited clip of Lavanya speaking before her death, accusing school authorities of forcing her to convert to Christianity.

Lavanya's parents alleged that their daughter was compelled to convert to Christianity, which intensified protests across the state. In response, 62-year-old Sagaya Mary, the school warden, was arrested, and the case was subsequently transferred to the CBI by Justice GR Swaminathan.

In a petition filed with the Madras High Court's Madurai bench, Sagaya Mary denied any responsibility for Lavanya's death, asserting that she did not force the girl to convert and requesting the dismissal of the charges against her.

During the proceedings, CBI counsel Muhaidee Basha revealed that 141 individuals had been questioned in connection with the case, and 265 documents, along with seven items, had been seized.

The investigation indicated that while Lavanya was a top-performing student, she had been burdened with chores that affected her academic performance, Basha said.

He emphasised that there was no evidence supporting claims of religious conversion and urged the court not to dismiss the chargesheet.

The court has adjourned the case until September 24 for further hearing.