Andhra High Court orders POCSO court to investigate Rishteswari's suicide case

Andhra Pradesh: Five years later, the Rishteswari suicide case came to the fore again. Rishteswari, an architecture student, has reportedly committed suicide after facing ragging from seniors. The case has become a state-wide sensation then.

However, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the POCSO court to take action against the accused as per the POCSO Act since Rishteswari is not a Major. But the POCSO Court has not agreed to a trial in the past claiming Rishteswari is major. However, the High Court ruled out the POCSO courts.

Since she was a minor at the time of the harassment, so the court has asked to file case under the POCSO Act, and prosecute the accused. On July 14, 2015, Rishteswari committed suicide in the hostel room of Nagarjuna University due to a harassment by seniors. Police have lodged a complaint against Charan Nayak, N. Srinivas and Nagalakshmi upon the allegations being proved.

On the other hand, the police have also filed a case against college Principal Babu Rao, for not taking action against the complain t filed by Rishteswari. The POCSO court has held hearing on January 7, 2016.