Congress demands immediate probe in Kerala athletes' suicide case

The Congress party on Friday said that there was a need for the Centre and the States to probe the suicide pact made by four female Kerala athletes through combined effort.

The four girls reportedly swallowed poison at an official sports hostel, leading to the death of one, while the others are in critical condition.

"I think both the Central and state government should do a very quick and prompt enquiry and punish if the officials are found guilty. If harassment is proved, or any amount of negligence is found, I think

very stern action is called for," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told ANI.

"These athletes are the pride of the nation. Young girls, who are on the top of their profession... only something extreme could lead them to take this step," he added.

The four young women ate a poisonous substance in an apparent bid to take their own lives at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) hostel in Kerala's Alapuzha district.

Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal mourned the loss of the promising athlete and ordered an investigation by the Director General of the SAI, to run alongside police inquiries.

"I am deeply aggrieved by the incident that happened in Kerala. The girl who has died was a very promising sportsperson. It is a great loss to the country," said Sonowal.

"It is our, like top priority to give them best possible medical support at this juncture. Local police is investigating the matter, but I have directed DG SAI (Director General Sports Authority of India) to immediately rush to the spot to give me a factual report," he added.

According to reports, the young sportswomen took the extreme step because they could not bear being humiliated by the trainer at a water sports centre.

SAI Director General Injeti Srinivas said: "I will try to get to the bottom of the entire episode and take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that such incidents never again occur."

Relatives of the girls have alleged that they were physically and mentally tortured.

Meanwhile, the condition of one of the three girls admitted after a suicide attempt continues to be critical.