The Vengaivayal case: Explained Premium

CB-CID cracks case of human faeces in water tank, files final report against three accused in Tamil Nadu.

The story so far: In a revolting incident that sent shock waves across Tamil Nadu, human faeces was found dumped in an overhead tank that supplied drinking water to the 20-odd Scheduled Caste (SC) families at Vengaivayal village in Pudukottai district on December 26, 2022. Soon, the State government transferred the case to its premier investigation agency, the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID).

A couple of public interest litigations were filed before the Madras High Court seeking the transfer of the case to the CBI and the court had appointed a one-man commission headed by a retired High Court Judge to probe the incident. On January 24, 2025, the CB-CID informed the court that it has cracked the case and a “final report” has been filed before the Special Court against three persons, all belonging to Scheduled Castes, on January 20, 2025.

Some village youngsters found the faeces floating in the tank when they checked it suspecting water contamination after some of the residents of Vengaivayal, including children fell ill around Christmas in 2022.

The then Pudukottai Collector Kavitha Ramu, who visited the village a day after the incident came to light, found the prevalence of the ‘two-tumbler’ system with separate glass tumblers being used to serve tea to Dalits.

She also led a group of Dalits into the Sri Ayyanar temple, where they had been worshipping the deity only from outside, at the adjacent hamlet of Eraiyur, dominated by intermediate caste residents.

Based on a complaint from the parent of an affected child, a case was booked at the Vellanur Police Station under Sections 3 (1) (b) and 3 (1) (x) and 3 (2) (va) of The SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and IPC Sections 277 (fouling water of public spring or reservoir) and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison with intent to commit an offence) and formed multiple teams to probe the case. But as weeks passed by, activists and political parties, especially the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Left parties, grew restive over the delay in arresting the perpetrators of the crime.

Chief Minister M.K.Stalin promised in the Assembly that the government will act firmly against those indulging in such demeaning acts. Considering the sensitiveness of the case, the investigation was transferred to the CB-CID.