Whistleblower killed for exposing ration scam

NDTV 24x7

Tamil Nadu: Whistleblower killed for exposing ration scam?
NDTV Correspondent, Updated: September 23, 2010 10:15 IST

Tuticorin: A government employee named Murugan was killed in Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu after he exposed a scam where pulses were being diverted from ration shops.

Mystery surrounds Murugan's death as Police say he consumed poison but his wife Selvi suspects foul play.

She says Murugan had exposed a scam where expensive pulses meant for the Public Distribution System were smuggled out of godowns and replaced by cheap rice.

Not willing to give up at any cost, Selvi refused to accept her husband's body and is on a hunger strike demanding justice.

"I want justice, the government has not bothered about this," said the hapless wife.

The government has ordered a probe into the incident and announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh. The minister in charge, however, refused to comment on camera.

With news of whistle blowers being targeted on the rise, activists are a worried lot.

V Madhav, RTI activist, said," Now a days we file RTI applications in batches so that no one person is targeted."


Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tamil-nadu-whistleblower-killed-for-exposing-ration-scam-54138?cp


THE HINDU

Tuticorin, September 23, 2010

Body of civil supplies official buried; wife arrested

PTI


THE HINDU : District Collector G. Prakash pacifying the family members and relatives of M. Murugan, Assistant Quality Control Officer, Civil Supplies Godown who died after consuming poison, in front of collectorate in Tuticorin.Photo: N.Rajesh


The wife of a civil supplies official, on a 12-day-long dharna here alleging that he was murdered for exposing irregularities by high level officials in the department, has been arrested.
Ms. Selvi, wife of 45-year old Murugan, who allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison, and 25 others who had joined her in her protest were arrested yesterday for continuing their protest demanding a proper probe despite the government ordering a CB-CID inquiry.
As Murugan’s family had refused to accept the body, it was buried by corporation staff in the presence of district officials here last evening, officials said. None of the family members of the deceased were present.
Murugan, an Assistant Quality Control Officer of the Civil Supplies known for his ‘integrity and honesty’, had allegedly consumed poison on September 7 and died four days later without responding to treatment.
His wife had refused to accept his body for performing funeral rights. She suspected her husband was forced to drink the poison for exposing high level irregularities in the department.
Officials said that before the arrest of Ms. Selvi, she was served an ultimatum to accept the body before 3 pm yesterday failing which it would be buried by corporation staff.
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had announced a compensation of Rs. two lakh to Ms. Selvi and also ordered the transfer of the case to the CB-CID Police.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/article778878.ece


THE HINDU

Body buried amidst security

Staff Reporter

Tuticorin: Amidst tight security, the body of M. Murugan, Assistant Quality Control Officer of Civil Supplies Godown, Milavittan, was buried here on Wednesday. He reportedly consumed poison on September 7 and was hospitalised. He died on September 11. Selvi, wife of the deceased, and other family members alleged that he was murdered. She sought a CBI inquiry. Meanwhile, she was arrested along with 24 others when she staged a protest demanding the arrest of those involved in the “murder.”

http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/23/stories/2010092361140300.htm

THE TIMES OF INDIA

Woman on dharna detained by police

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai: The wife of an officer who died due to alleged poisoning after exposing malpractices in the civil supplies corporation in Thoothukudi was picked up by the cops along with 24 others for continuing to stage a dharna despite the government ordering a CBI enquiry into his death. Selvi, 38, who had been staging the street protest since September 13, was later admitted to hospital. Murugan, 48, had been the deputy inspector of quality control at the Civil Supplies Corporation godown in Neelavittan in Thoothukudi. His wife said he had noticed that provisions were going missing from the godown and brought it to the notice of his regional. But as Pitchai, an outsider who had access to the godown, had threatened him against exposing this malpractice, Murugan lodged a complaint with the SIPCOT police on August 17.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOINEW/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&AW=1285229238125


DECCAN CHRONICLE

Police arrests fasting widow

September 23rd, 2010
DC
BODY OF HUSBAND FINALLY BURIED Though Murugan’s wife alleged that he was poisoned by some of his colleagues, police concluded on the basis of the post-mortem report that it was suicide.
Sept. 22: Police on Wednesday arrested Selvi, the widow of a civil supplies official, who had undertaken a fast in the district collectorate alleging that her husband had been murdered by his colleagues. Murugan, 48, a quality control officer at the civil supplies godown in Thoothukudi died after consuming poison. Though his wife alleged that he was poisoned by some of his colleagues, police concluded on the basis of the post-mortem report that it was suicide.
However, Selvi refused to accept this and along with relatives and dalit activists started a relay fast in the Thoothukudi district collectorate premises 12 days ago. She demanded the immediate arrest of four of Mr Murugan’s colleagues in the case. The district collector ordered a CB CID probe and invited Ms Selvi for discussions but she refused to talk with him.
The government also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh. However, Selvi and her relatives, backed by various political parties, dalit and human rights organisations continued with the fast. They also refused to accept the body of Murugan that was kept for the past 12 days in the Thoothukudi government hospital mortuary. The police finally buried Murugan’s body and arrested Selvi and her relatives Wednesday evening.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/police-arrests-fasting-widow-347