Insaaf Times Desk

The brutal murder of 28-year-old Dalit youth K. Veeramuthu on Monday night in Adiyamangalam village has sparked tension in the area. Veeramuthu belonged to the Periyar community and had been in a romantic relationship for the past ten years with Malini (26). Malini’s father is from the Dalit community, while her mother, Vijaya, from a backward caste (Chettiar), opposed the relationship.

According to police, around 10:30 PM on Monday, Veeramuthu was returning home on his bike when a group attacked him. He sustained severe injuries from a sickle and died on the way to Mayiladuthurai Government Hospital. Police said that on September 14, a meeting was held between the families, during which Malini expressed her desire to marry Veeramuthu. The families had provided written assurance that they would not interfere in the marriage.

In connection with the case, police have taken Malini’s mother Vijaya, her sons Gugan and Gunal, and relatives Anbunidhi and Bhaskar into custody. A case has also been registered against Vijaya under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Four special teams have been formed by the police to investigate the matter.

Protests erupted with around 150 people taking to the streets, including Malini, Veeramuthu’s family, and members of political and social organizations such as CPI(M), DYFI, VCK, and the Tamil Nadu Anti-Untouchability Front. Protesters demanded the immediate arrest of the accused, compensation for the victim’s family, and strict punishment for the perpetrators. The body was released for last rites only after Vijaya’s arrest was confirmed.

Malini stated that she had informed her parents of her decision to marry Veeramuthu. She wrote that her parents had formally renounced any claim, and now the same people had destroyed her decade-long love. She added that the culprits include her mother, brother, and relatives, all of whom should face strict punishment.

P. Shanmugam, State Secretary of CPI(M), described the murder as caste-based and questioned the police’s negligence. DYFI alleged a delay in registering the case under the SC/ST Act. This incident raises renewed concerns over the increasing cases of honor killings and caste-based violence in Tamil Nadu in recent months.

Police are conducting a thorough investigation, and other potential suspects may also be included in the scope of arrests.