Tamil Nadu: Former Panchayat Official, Ayesha, Accused Of Caste-based Verbal Abuse In Thoothukudi Sanitation Worker's Suicide Case

The suicide of a sanitation worker, who belonged to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community of Arunthathiyar, in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu has sparked outrage in the district.

Sudalaimadan, 55, attempted suicide on 17 March. His family alleged that a former panchayat official, Ayesha, had verbally abused him based on his caste and humiliated him for seeking a promotion a few years ago, which may have led to his suicide attempt.

He received treatment for six days but sadly passed away on 23 March.

He was a resident of Pudu Colony in Udangudi and was admitted to the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital on the same day he attempted suicide.

Following Sudalaimadan's death, protests have erupted among sanitation workers and his family members, who are demanding the arrest of three town panchayat officials, Ayesha, Babu, and Hemeira.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered based on a complaint from his wife Thangammal, Sudalaimadan had worked for the Udangudi town panchayat for 30 years, during which he had sought a promotion to supervisor due to his seniority.

However, the panchayat officials allegedly demanded a bribe, which Sudalaimadan refused to pay. Despite his continued work as a sanitation worker, the harassment by panchayat officials reportedly persisted.

Ayesha served as the Udangudi town panchayat chairperson during 2001-06 and 2011-16.

The FIR filed based on a complaint from Sudalaimadan's wife, Thangammal, also alleged that the town panchayat executive officer, Babu, who belongs to the Moopanar community classified under Backward Classes in Tamil Nadu, verbally abused Sudalaimadan on multiple occasions, overworked him, and did so at Ayesha's behest.

Protesters demanded strict action against the current Udangudi town panchayat chairperson, Hemeira Ramez Fatima, who is the daughter-in-law of Ayesha. They alleged that she allowed her family members to interfere with her duties.

Kulasekarapattinam police have charged Ayesha and Babu under sections 294(b),186 and 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). They have also been charged under sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Babu was suspended by the Thoothukudi district administration in connection with the case, while Ayesha, Babu, and Hemeira were reportedly on the run.

Under the SC/ST (PoA) Act, the district administration has sanctioned Rs 12 lakh as ex-gratia for Sudalaimadan's family, and they have received a partial amount of Rs 6 lakh so far. Additionally, officials have announced that Sudalaimadan's daughter Uma Maheswari will be appointed as a junior assistant at the Sathankulam town panchayat office.