The Srivilliputhur Mahila Court has remanded Nirmala Devi, a suspended assistant professor from Devanga Arts and Science College to 15 days of judicial custody after she failed to appear for a hearing on November 18. However, Nirmala Devi's counsel alleges that she failed to appear before court due to mental health issues caused by threats she has been receiving from politicians who allegedly want her to keep the truth under wraps.
In April last year, Nirmala Devi had been accused of attempting to lure three female students in her college into sex work. After a phone recording of her attempts to convince them was released, the assistant professor along with two other men Karuppusamy (former research scholar) and Murugan (Assistant professor) who are linked to the Madurai Kamaraj University were arrested. Despite multiple attempts, they were given bail only in March this year.
"She couldn't go for the hearing on November 18 because she was under a lot of mental trauma," says her advocate Pasumpon Pandian. "She has been receiving threats from a Minister from Madurai. And has been told not to expose the men she was allegedly soliciting women for," he alleges.
According to the lawyer, the investigating officials are not further probing the case.
"But what about the Vice Chancellor PP Chellathurai or Registrar V Chinnaiah – both of whom are mentioned in several places in Nirmala’s confession?" he asks. "Why have they not even been questioned by the police in connection to their alleged involvement in this case? Even in a black and white case of prostitution, the person who was on the other side of the bargain will be questioned. They are attempting to limit this entire case," he alleges.
Nirmala Devi's counsel points out that her bail was delayed by months to prevent her from entering public life and revealing the truth.
"She is very scared now because she thinks her action now will lead to consequences for her children and husband," says the advocate. "They have threatened her children as well and all this to stop the big fish in this case from being exposed."
When TNM had spoken to investigating officials in November last year, they had said, "Our chargesheet consists of all evidence – scientific and technological. She never spoke about the VC and Registrar in her confession. It is merely her assumption that she worked for them."
Advocate Pasumpon Pandian, however, points out that the chargesheet and even her confession were doctored to suit the interests of higher officials involved in the case.