In a suspected caste-murder, a 27-year-old Dalit man was brutally hacked to death in broad daylight at KTC Nagar in Tirunelveli on Sunday, July 27 reportedly over a relationship with a woman belonging to a dominant community. The victim, Kavin Selva Ganesh, was an IT professional from Arumugamangalam in Thoothukudi district.
As per reports, Kavin had taken a family relative to a private hospital in KTC Nagar when he was reportedly accosted by S Surjith (23), who went on to assault him with sharp weapons after a scuffle.
Yet, various news reports establish a much more sinister and disturbing motive: Kavin was in a long-term relationship with Surjith's sister, S Subhashini, a Siddha medical practitioner. Their inter-caste relationship had attracted harsh disapproval from her family. Kavin was referred to the Devendra Kula Vellalar community, which falls under Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu, whereas Subhashini's family belonged to the Maravar sub-caste of the Thevar community, coming under Most Backward Class (MBC).
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Kavin, reportedly, had informed his brother about threats from Subhashini’s family but had not pursued the matter legally. On Sunday afternoon, when Kavin visited Subhashini’s clinic with his grandfather, Surjith allegedly confronted him outside, hurled casteist slurs, and then chased him down before hacking him to death with a sickle.
The gruesome killing was done before the eyes of Kavin's mother, who lodged a police complaint alleging premeditated murder by Surjith and his parents, who are both sub-inspectors.
The FIR has named Surjith's parents, Saravanan and Krishnakumari, as the first and second accused, while Surjith has been third accused.
Police have arrested both Saravanan and Krishnakumari for interrogation. There is heavy police presence in the locality to ensure law and order. The case is being investigated by ACP Suresh, who has been named as the investigating officer in the case.
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