Tirunelveli: In a suspected case of honour killing, a 27-year-old Dalit software engineer, Kavin, was hacked to death in broad daylight on July 27 in the Palayankottai area in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district. The prime accused, Surjith (25), son of two police assistant inspectors, surrendered at the Palayankottai police station, claiming he killed Kavin for allegedly harassing his younger sister. However, the victim’s family has accused Surjith’s parents of instigating the murder, raising serious concerns about caste-based violence and police complicity.
The incident occurred near a hospital in KTC Nagar, where Kavin had accompanied his mother, Selvi, a government school teacher, for treatment. Eyewitnesses reported that Surjith lured Kavin under the pretext of a conversation before attacking him with a sickle, inflicting fatal wounds on his face, hands, and legs. The brutality of the attack, carried out in a crowded residential area, has left locals terrified.
Kavin’s mother filed a formal complaint alleging that Surjith’s parents—Saravana Kumar and Krishnaveni, both Sub inspectors at the Manimutharu police station—played a role in encouraging the murder. Senior police officials are now investigating whether the accused’s parents were directly involved. Meanwhile, Surjith has been charged under multiple sections, including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, murder, attempt to murder, and illegal weapon use.
Love, Caste, and Honour Killing Suspicions Deepen
Initial investigations suggest that the murder may be linked to a romantic relationship between Kavin and Surjith’s sister, a Siddha doctor at the hospital he frequently visited. Sources indicate that the girl’s family strongly opposed the relationship due to caste differences, leading to escalating tensions. The fact that the accused’s parents are police officers has further intensified public outrage, with many questioning whether their position was used to shield Surjith or suppress evidence.
Police have heightened security in Palayankottai and surrounding areas to prevent caste-related clashes. Kavin’s family and Dalit rights activists are demanding a thorough probe and stringent punishment for all involved, including Surjith’s parents.
As forensic teams analyse CCTV footage and other evidence, the incident has reignited debates over caste-based violence in Tamil Nadu.