Tamil Nadu: 'Allegations Made By Governor True'; 'Certain Media Houses Published Wrong Information About Our Investigation In Chidambaram', Says NCPCR Member RG Anand

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) member RG Anand, who conducted an investigation into Governor RN Ravi's allegations of minor daughters of Chidambaram Podhu Dikshitars being subjected to the 'two-finger' test as part of a probe into complaints about child marriage said that the allegations were found to be true and it is regrettable that certain media houses had published wrong information about the investigation done by the NCPCR.

Further, he said that a detailed report would be submitted to the chairperson of the Commission Priyank Kanoongo and an official press release would be issued.

An NCPCR team headed by Anand conducted an investigation in the town yesterday (24 May) along with officials like the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, medical officers, and child welfare officers. He said that they also examined the medical records and spoke to the alleged victims.

In an interview with the Times of India, when asked about skipping the part on 'excellent management of temples' during his address to the Assembly in January this year, Governor Ravi had said "Out of vengeance, government officers of social welfare department lodged eight complaints of child marriage against the podhu dikshithars, that they were marrying their children underage, whereas there were no such marriages.

"Parents were arrested and put behind prisons. And the girls, sixth, seventh standard students, were forcibly taken from home to the hospitals and made to undergo ‘two-finger tests’, virginity tests. Some of them tried to commit suicide.

After the allegations were made by Governor RN Ravi, the Commission had taken suo moto cognisance and asked the Chief Secretary to submit a report.

Director General of Police (DGP) C Sylendra Babu had earlier said that the 'two-finger' test was not conducted.

The Commission is in possession of the report sent by the Tamil Nadu government.