Hours after the murder of 45-year-old Sarala, the mother of Dhashvanth who was accused of sexually assaulting and murdering 7-year-old Hasini in Chennai in February this year, city police has now provided protection to the family of Hasini. A team of five police officials are standing guard at the couple’s temporary residence in the city.
Sarala was found bludgeoned to death around 3 30pm on Saturday at her home in Kundrathur in Chennai, and the police were informed immediately. The police said that jewellery was also missing from Sarala’s home and Dhashvanth too is untraceable. This has pointed the needle of suspicion towards Dhashvanth, with the police investigating if he killed his own mother and escaped with the jewellery.
“The police arrived last night after we requested for protection,” says Hasini’s father. “Five officials have arrived and are ensuring that the premises is secured. We have been advised to stay indoors,” he adds.
Hasini’s family had earlier claimed that Dhashvanth had issued death threats to them, making protection necessary. Their location is, for security reasons, not being publicly revealed.
23-year-old Dhashvanth has been out on bail in the Hasini case since September. He procured bail on a technical ground after his father went to court claiming that the Chennai police cannot impose Goondas Act on him. In February this year, 7-year-old Hasini was found murdered and Dhasvanth was suspected of sexually assaulting her and then killing her.
After the news of his bail became public, there was much outrage in Tamil Nadu, with people holding the judiciary and police responsible for allowing him to get free.
Two weeks ago, Hasini’s father had told TNM that Dhashvanth had repeatedly threatened him inside and outside the court premises. At both occasions Dhasvanth threatened Hasini’s father not to appear in court, and said that if he did, Dhasvanth would kill his son.
The police are still on the lookout for Dhashvanth. “We are not drawing any conclusions, but it is true that the jewellery is missing, and so is Dhasvanth,” Deputy Commissioner of Ambattur, Sarvesh told TNM, adding that an FIR has also been filed in the death of the mother.