The victim, 25-year-old Kavinselva, was allegedly killed by the brother of his girlfriend, Surjith (22), and a friend due to the difference in their caste.
Published Jul 28, 2025 | 11:43 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 28, 2025 | 1:22 PM
The deceased, Kavin Selva Ganesh.
Synopsis: An IT professional was hacked to death in Tamil Nadu, reportedly over his romantic relationship with a woman from another caste, who is the daughter of a police sub-inspector couple.
An IT professional was hacked to death in front of his mother in broad daylight in the Palayamkottai area in Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu, on Sunday, 27 July, reportedly over his romantic relationship with a woman from another caste, who is the daughter of a police sub-inspector couple.
The victim, 25-year-old Kavinselva Ganesh, was allegedly killed by Surjith (22) — the brother of his girlfriend Subashini — and a friend, due to the difference in their caste.
The boy belonged to Devendra Kula Vellalar, a Scheduled Caste (SC) community, while the woman belongs to Maravar, a Most Backward Class (MBC) community.
Maravar is a sub-caste within the Mukkulathor community, which is part of the Thevar caste, which is considered MBC in the Tirunelveli district.
In a complaint submitted at the Palayamkottai Police Station, Kavinselva’s mother, S Tamilselvi, alleged that Surjith murdered Kavinselva at the instigation of his parents. “Since both of them are sub-inspectors, a murder case should also be filed against them,” demanded Tamilselvi.
Meanwhile, the names of Surjith’s parents have now been officially included in the First Information Report (FIR). Saravanan and Krishnakumari, who serve as sub-inspectors, have been named as the first and second accused, respectively, while Surjith, who allegedly carried out the murder, has been named as the third accused.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family has refused to accept Kavinselca’s body and staged a protest, demanding justice and strict action against all those involved. The protest took place at the Department of Forensic Medicine on Palayamkottai–Thiruchendur Road, where the post-mortem was being conducted.
Heavy police deployment has been made in the area, with over 100 personnel, including two inspectors, stationed under the supervision of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to maintain law and order.
The police have also begun questioning the young woman who was reportedly in a relationship with Kavinselva. Meanwhile, Saravanakumar and Krishnakumari have been taken into custody by the police for interrogation.
Kavinselva, son of Chandrasekhar and Selvi from Arumugamangalam near Eral in the Thoothukudi district, had completed his undergraduate studies and was employed at an IT firm in Chennai.
He had returned to his native place for a vacation and visited a Siddha clinic in KTC Nagar First Street on Saturday morning, taking his aged grandfather for treatment.
While returning home after the treatment, at around 2.30 pm, two men suddenly intercepted them, picked a quarrel with Kavinselva, and chased him down the street before hacking him multiple times with machetes. He died on the spot, lying in a pool of blood.
Preliminary police investigation revealed that Kavinselva was in a long-term relationship with a woman who studied with him during school days in Thoothukudi.
She is the daughter of a couple who are both serving as sub-inspectors in the police force, posted at Rajapalayam and Manimutharu battalions, respectively. The girl’s family, upon learning of the affair, relocated from Thoothukudi to KTC Nagar in Tirunelveli nearly a decade ago.
However, the couple reportedly continued their relationship over the phone and social media.
The woman is reportedly a Siddha doctor working at a private Siddha clinic in KTC Nagar. On Saturday, it is said that Kavinselva went to the clinic with his grandfather under the pretext of seeking treatment, but in reality, he had gone to meet his girlfriend. It was while returning from the clinic that Surjith chased him with a machete and hacked him to death.
During police interrogation, Surjith reportedly confessed that he had repeatedly asked Kavinselva to end his relationship with his sister. Despite this, Kavinselva continued to meet her at the clinic. Enraged by this, Surjith said he waited for the right moment and murdered him. He reportedly added that he voluntarily surrendered because he believes he should face punishment for what he has done.
Meanwhile, Kavinselva’s parents and relatives, who are refusing to receive his body, have demanded the immediate suspension of both his killers’ parents, who are currently serving as police officers.
The woman’s younger brother, Surjith, is said to have strongly opposed the relationship due to the caste difference. According to police sources, despite repeated pressure from him to end the affair, Kavinselva refused to back down.
In a fit of rage, Surjith allegedly tracked him to the Siddha clinic and attacked him with the help of an accomplice. Surjith surrendered at the Palayamkottai Police Station later that evening. Police are interrogating him and continuing their investigation.
A murder case has been registered under four Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 296(b), 103(1), 49 of BNS, read with Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Palayamkottai ACP Suresh has been appointed as the investigation officer.
Tamilselvi claimed that their disapproval and threats led to the murder of her son by Subashini’s brother, Surjith.
Tamilselvi recounted that Surjith lured her son away from the clinic on the pretext that his parents wished to meet him. Later, in full public view, Surjith allegedly assaulted Kavinselva with a sickle, shouting caste-based slurs, and brutally hacked him to death.
Tamilselvi further alleged that after the murder, Surjith shouted, “Now my parents can live in peace,” before fleeing the scene.
She has also demanded strict legal action against all three, including suspension of the police officers involved, stating that the murder was a caste-motivated dishonour killing.
The FIR and the original complaint have been forwarded to the 2nd Additional District Sessions Court (PCR), Tirunelveli. Copies have also been sent to the relevant senior police officials. The investigation dossier will be handed over to the Investigation Officer appointed by the Commissioner of Police.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
