NCPCR team visits Chidambaram to probe whether girls are being forcibly subjected to virginity tests

RG Anand, member of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, with officials conducting investigations at the Sree Sabanayagar Temple in Chidambaram on Wednesday. , photo credit: ss kumar

A team of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) visited Chidambaram on Wednesday and began its probe in connection with Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s allegation of forced virginity test (two-finger test) on minor girls.

The team, headed by NCPCR member RG Anand, held inquiries with Pothu Dikshitar, the hereditary priest-cum-custodian of Sri Sabanayagar Temple, to ascertain whether the girls were subjected to forced virginity tests. The team also visited the Chidambaram all women police station and questioned the investigating officer on the cases registered against the Dikshit family.

Mr. Anand also inquired about the treatment of the girl children from the doctors of Chidambaram General Hospital. Later speaking to reporters, he said that the NCPCR has taken suo motu cognizance of the Governor’s interview. He said a detailed inquiry was conducted and the team would submit its findings to the commission in three days.