SAI suicide attempt case: Sarbananda Sonowal orders probe, guilty officials to face strictest action

New Delhi: Hours after four girls attempted suicide after allegedly being harassed by a trainer at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) hostel, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal ordered a probe and assured that strictest action would be taken against officials who are found guilty.

The Sports Ministry swung into action by ordering an inquiry and directing SAI Director General Injeti Srinivas to rush to Kerala for an on the spot assessment.

"I am deeply aggrieved by the incident that has happened in Kerala. The young girl who has died was a very promising sportsperson. It is a big loss to the country in general and Sports Authority of India and sports fraternity in particular. I convey my condolences to the bereaved family. We will give all possible help to the bereaved family," Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said in a statement.

"Three girls are still undergoing treatment. I pray for their speedy recovery. To provide them the best possible treatment is our top priority. Local police is investigating the matter. I have also directed the Director General of SAI to rush to the spot and give me a factual report. I have specifically directed him to ensure that the best possible treatment is made available to the three girls who are undergoing treatment."

"While law will take its own course, at this stage I would only like to say that if anyone from Sports Authority of India is found guilty in connection with this tragic incident, strictest possible action will be taken against him or her," he added.

A young girl athlete died and three others were left in a serious condition after they consumed a poisonous fruit here, a Kerala Police official said on Thursday.

One of the girls, who is in serious condition, is a gold medalist of the recently held 35th National Games here.

Meanwhile, reacting over the tragic incident, SAI Director General Injeti Srinivas said that it was the most shocking incident in SAI's existence over the last three decades.

"This is the most tragic and shocking incident in 3 decade long existence of SAI. We've been following up with State authorities & SAI officials, priority is to save their lives. What happened is that 4 of our girl trainees attempted suicide, info came to me yesterday midnight."

"Police is investigating matter, sub divisional magistrate has taken deposition of one girl who is able to speak. Suicide note was left which was jointly signed, all this will have to be investigated," Srinivas added further.

It was on Wednesday night that the girls were found poisoned in the SAI women's hostel. They were rushed to the General Hospital and then to Medical College Hospital.

According to reports, students took the extreme step as they couldn’t bear the humiliation by the trainer after they were reportedly found in an inebriated state.

Relatives of the athletes alleged that the girls were being physically and mentally tortured by some seniors.

However, the hostel warden denied the charges and said they came to know about the condition of the girls only when they fainted. "None in the hostel tortured them", she said.

Angry relatives of the girl who died said that unless an inquiry is ordered immediately and the guilty brought to book, they would block the national highway and not perform the last rites of their ward.

(With Agency inputs)