Palakkad: Apparently to insult their principal, a group of SFI students of the prestigious 127-year-old Government Victoria College here allegedly prepared a symbolic 'grave' for her as a 'retirement gift'.

Following a complaint by the principal, Dr T N Sarasu, who retired on March 31, police have registered cases under various sections of IPC against some SFI students.

Sarasu alleged that the students had acted on the behest of "some members" of All Kerala Government College Teachers Union, owing allegiance to the Left.

In her complaint to police, Sarasu has named at least eight SFI students who had prepared the 'symbolic grave' inside the college campus and had strewn it with flowers and placed a wreath at about 7 am on March 31.

Some other students, who witnessed the act, informed the principal.

"I had been their Principal and had not given in to their unjust demands which could have angered them," Sarasu told PTI.

"I have done my work truthfully. A lot of good work was done during my period," she said, adding, she had worked in the college as Zoology professor for 27 years before taking over as Principal this academic year.

Former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan, 'Metroman' E Sreedharan, former Kerala Chief Minister E M S Namboodiripad, writer and cartoonist O V Vijayan were among the illustrious students of the college.

SFI denies charges

The SFI district leadership has denied involvement in the act. An SFI leader said that rival groups were behind the act aimed at destroying SFI’s image.

SFI’s way of protesting is to conduct strikes, not to defame or insult someone, SFI Palakkad district Secretary Jayadevan said according to reports. (With agency inputs)