Sign in Subscribe
Murder

Caste-Based Honour Killing Rocks Tamil Nadu: Family Threats and Police Involvement

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a heinous crime that has sent shockwaves through the state of Tamil Nadu, a 27-year-old Dalit software engineer was brutally hacked to death in broad daylight on Sunday. Kavin Selva Ganesh, who worked at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Chennai, was allegedly murdered by the brother of a woman he had been in a long-term relationship with, with police officers' involvement suspected. The victim's family has filed a complaint with the Palayamkottai police, alleging that the woman's family had been threatening them for their caste-based relationship. The police have arrested the accused, 21-year-old S Surjith, and registered a case against him and his parents under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kavin Selva Ganesh, a 27-year-old Dalit software engineer, was hacked to death by S Surjith, the brother of a woman he had been in a relationship with, in broad daylight on Sunday in Tirunelveli.
  • The victim's family had been threatened multiple times by the woman's family, who belonged to a Most Backward Class (MBC) community, for their caste-based relationship.
  • The police had been informed of the threats, but failed to take action, with the victim's mother, S Tamizhselvi, stating that even now, they may use their positions to influence the case.
  • S Surjith, the accused, is the son of two police officers - sub-inspectors Saravanan and Krishnakumari - who have also been named as co-accused in the case.
  • The police have arrested the accused and registered a case against him and his parents under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015.
  • Protests have erupted in parts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, demanding justice and the suspension of the accused police officers.
  • The victim's family has refused to accept his body and is demanding legal action against Surjith's parents.
  • The police have secured CCTV footage from the crime scene and sent the victim's body for post-mortem at the Tirunelveli Government Hospital.

Statistics:

  • The victim, Kavin Selva Ganesh, was 27 years old.
  • The accused, S Surjith, is 21 years old.
  • The police have arrested the accused and registered a case against him and his parents under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015.
  • The victim's family has been threatened multiple times by the woman's family, with the latest incident occurring on Sunday.
  • The police had been informed of the threats, but failed to take action.
  • Protests have erupted in parts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, with demands for justice and the suspension of the accused police officers.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd. (2025)
  • Contify.com

Read more