Published Sep 29, 2026 | 12:04 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 29, 2026 | 12:04 PM
Madras High Court.
Synopsis: In the latest order, Justice R. Vijayakumar quashed the chargesheet against Saravanan and Krishnakumari, while dismissing Jayapal’s plea seeking similar relief.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has quashed the chargesheet filed against Saravanan and Krishnakumari, the parents of Surjith, in connection with the murder of 25-year-old IT employee C. Kavin Selvaganesh.
However, the court dismissed the petition filed by Jayapal, a relative of accused Surjith, seeking to quash the chargesheet against him.
Kavin, a software engineer from Arumugamangalam in Thoothukudi district, was hacked to death in Tirunelveli’s KTC Nagar on 27 July, 2025. Police alleged that he was killed over his relationship with a woman from another community. Surjith, the woman’s brother, was arrested in connection with the murder.
Following the murder, the case was transferred to the CB-CID for investigation. At the time, Kavin’s parents had alleged that the murder was connected to the inter-caste relationship.
Surjith’s father K. Saravanan and mother Krishnakumari were serving as Sub-Inspectors in the Tamil Nadu Special Police Force. Both were suspended following the incident to ensure an impartial investigation.
The CB-CID subsequently arrested Krishnakumari in May 2026. The prosecution alleged that Surjith’s parents were aware of the alleged plan and had supported him.
Saravanan and Jayapal had already been arrested in connection with the case.
The CB-CID filed its chargesheet in October 2025, reportedly based on statements from 83 witnesses, accusing Saravanan, Jayapal and others under various provisions, including murder-related charges.
Saravanan and Jayapal subsequently approached the Madurai Bench seeking to quash the chargesheet. During the proceedings, the High Court also examined the issue of CCTV footage from the Tirunelveli–Seevalaperi National Highway stretch on July 27, 2025, as the accused claimed that the footage could establish whether Saravanan and Jayapal met Surjith after the murder. The NHAI was directed to produce the footage before the court.
In the latest order, Justice R. Vijayakumar quashed the chargesheet against Saravanan and Krishnakumari, while dismissing Jayapal’s plea seeking similar relief.
Also Read: Caste killing in Tirunelveli: Court dismisses bail petition of accused in Kavin case
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
