A fresh departmental inquiry has been launched into the death of S. Aneeshya, a former Assistant Public Prosecutor at the Paravur Munsiff Magistrate Court in Kollam, Kerala. The Director General of Prosecution, T. Asaf Ali, has ordered the Director of Prosecution to conduct a thorough probe into the matter, with a focus on identifying any official lapses or departmental failures that may have contributed to her death.
The inquiry was initiated based on a petition submitted by Aneeshya’s parents, Prasanna P.M. and Satyadevan, who alleged that their daughter faced severe workplace harassment and mental torture from her colleagues and superiors. Aneeshya had purportedly taken her life on January 21, 2024, leaving behind a note and audio messages that detailed her experiences.
The parents’ petition also highlighted concerns about the initial departmental inquiry, which they claimed was biased and flawed. They alleged that the primary inquiry officer, Sheeba, held the same official rank and cadre as one of the accused officials, resulting in a conflict of interest that compromised the investigation. The initial inquiry reportedly failed to examine crucial primary evidence, including Aneeshya’s handwritten note and recorded voice messages, and deliberately refrained from collecting statements from relevant witnesses.
The parents asserted that the flawed report magnified facts favourable to the accused while disregarding evidence of workplace torture. As a result, the biased departmental report enabled the accused persons to secure bail in court, thereby denying justice to their late daughter. The Director General of Prosecution has instructed the investigating authority to submit a comprehensive report as expeditiously as possible.
The fresh inquiry aims to uncover the truth behind Aneeshya’s death and address the concerns raised by her parents. The case has sparked concerns about workplace harassment and the need for a fair and impartial investigation into such incidents.
