Chennai,  A Dalit family in Vedaranayam, Nagapattinam district has complained to the district collector over police inaction against a government official, who had molested their 12-year-old daughter.

According to the Dalit couple, who are farm labourers, their two daughters aged 12 and 9 were going to the government school when a person named Sivajiraja (50) dragged the elder daughter to the backside of a building and molested her. He took the photograph of the incident and then fled.

The couple said that the incident occurred on February 9. After two days the person barged into their house and threatened them that they will have to face dire consequences if they file a complaint. However, the family filed a complaint at the Vedaranayam All Woman Police station on February 13, which registered a case against Sivajirajan under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 and IPC Sections 294b and 506 -2.

The family in their complaint to the Nagapattinam district collector on April 4 said that the police did not take any action and that Sivajirajan, who is a government employee with the Highways department, is continuing with the job. They said that the children are afraid to go to school as they have to cross the home of Sivajirajan and his relatives who are constantly threatening the Dalit family, including the children.

Vedaranayam police when contacted said that Sivajirajan has not been going to the office and is absconding from the place. The police officer while speaking to IANS said that they are on the trail of the accused and that there was no dereliction of duty on the part of the police in the case.

The officer also said that the district collector has ordered a thorough inquiry into the matter.