Rohith Vemula suicide case closure: Telangana Police proposes, public disposes
Eight years following the death of PhD student Rohith Vemula by suicide, purportedly due to caste-related discrimination at the University of Hyderabad, the Telangana Police has submitted a closure report, asserting no culpability for his demise and casting doubt on his Dalit identity.
The closure report, submitted to the LB Nagar Sessions Court on March 21, cites insufficient evidence to implicate the former vice-chancellor of the university and others for abetting Vemula’s suicide. It suggests a possibility that Vemula may have been apprehensive about potential exposure regarding the allegedly fraudulent acquisition of a scheduled caste (SC) certificate.
The report has sparked a public outcry, prompting Telangana Director General of Police Ravi Gupta to announce the reopening of the investigation.
Responding to concerns raised by Rohith Vemula’s family, DGP Ravi Gupta stated late on Friday that a petition would be filed in the relevant court to seek permission for further inquiry.
Raja Vemula, brother of Rohith, speaking to news channels, said that the Telangana High Court suggested filing a ‘protest petition’ in the lower court. He emphasised that confirmation of Rohith Vemula’s SC status should be obtained from the district collector of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, questioning the basis on which the police declared him a non-SC.
Raja Vemula also expressed his intention to meet with Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy regarding the issue.
