The development comes after the protest by CPI (M), DYFI, VCK and Tamil Nadu untouchability eradication front.
Published Sep 17, 2025 | 4:46 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 17, 2025 | 4:46 PM
Arrest. (Representational image. Credit: iStock)
Synopsis: During investigation, it was also revealed that one of the accused, Vijaya, mother of Malini, belonging to the Chettiar community, had instigated the crime knowing that the victim, Vairamuthu, belonged to the Adi Dravidar community. Confessional statements of other accused — Gugan and Anbunithi — confirmed that they murdered Vairamuthu at the instigation of Vijaya, their mother.
Mayiladuthurai police have altered charges in connection with the caste murder of Vairamuthu, a Dalit youth, who was brutally hacked to death, late on Monday night, 15 September, allegedly by his lover’s family members, who opposed their relationship.
Assistant Inspector C. Arunkumar initially registered the case under sections 191(3), 128(2), 298(b), and 103(2) BNG. After reviewing the file, the Mayiladuthurai Inspector personally visited the crime scene, prepared the observation mahazar and sketch, recorded witness statements, and arrested several accused.
The development comes after the protest by CPI (M), DYFI, VCK and Tamil Nadu untouchability eradication front.
In light of these findings, the case has been altered from the earlier charges to Sections 191(2), 120(2), 296(b), and 103(2) of the BNS read with Section 61(2) BNS, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2016 \[Sec. 3(2)(v-a)]. The alteration report has been submitted to the jurisdictional court.
During investigation, it was also revealed that one of the accused, Vijaya, mother of Malini, belonging to the Chettiar community, had instigated the crime knowing that the victim, Vairamuthu, belonged to the Adi Dravidar community. Confessional statements of other accused — Gugan and Anbunithi — confirmed that they murdered Vairamuthu at the instigation of Vijaya, their mother.
The complaint was lodged on 16 September, by his mother, Rajalakshmi, at Mayiladuthurai police station, alleging that her son had been murdered.
The victim, identified as Vairamuthu, a DME diploma holder working as a two-wheeler mechanic, was returning home to Adiyamangalam village after closing his repair shop at around 10.30 pm when he was intercepted by a group of assailants.
Police said he was chased and hacked with sickles and other sharp weapons. He was rushed to the Mayiladuthurai Government Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The victim had been in a relationship with Malini, 26, an MBA graduate employed in Chennai, for nearly a decade.
Both belonged to the Scheduled Caste community, specifically the Paraiyar sub-caste. However, Malini’s mother, Vijaya, who belongs to the Chettiar caste, had married Malini’s father in an inter-caste marriage. Yet, she opposed her daughter’s relationship on caste grounds.
Vairamuthu’s relatives have accused Malini’s brothers Gugan and Gunal, among others, of carrying out the assault.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
