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The Tamil Nadu police department on Tuesday, July 29, suspended Saravanan and Krishnakumari, parents of murder accused Surjith who killed a Dalit man, allegedly for being in relationship with his sister. Saravanan and Krishnakumari worked as Sub-Inspectors with the Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP). Further, the family of the deceased have also refused to take the victim compensation, stating that they want justice for his son.
On July 27, Kavin Selva Ganesh, working as an IT employee in Chennai, was hacked to death by Surjith in broad daylight at KTC Nagar in Tirunelveli.
The incident occurred when Kavin was accompanying his grandfather to a private hospital. Surjith confronted Kavin and attacked him with a weapon in KTC Nagar.
According to sources, TSP DIG Vijayalakshmi suspended Surjith’s parents on July 29, after they have been named as co-accused in the case.
Meanwhile, Kavin’s parents refused to receive the victim compensation, saying that they want justice for Kavin. “We wouldn’t receive even if it is crores of money. We want justice for our son,” said Sekar, Kavin’s father.
Earlier, speaking to the media, he alleged that it was a pre-planned murder and Surjith’s parents had a role in it. While Surjith has been arrested, Kavin’s family is currently demanding the arrest of his parents as well.
Speaking to TNM, police sources said that an investigation is underway to ascertain the role of the parents in the murder. “As there is no prima facie evidence about their involvement, we cannot arrest them. If we make a wrong arrest, it might impact the entire case. So we are looking for any proof that might prove a conspiracy,” he said.
An FIR has been registered against the three persons under sections 296(b) (obscene acts and songs), 49 (Punishment of abetment if act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 103(1) (punishment for murder) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and sections of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act pertaining to punishments for offences atrocities.
Kavin was in a long-standing relationship with Surjith’s sister, S Subhashini, a Siddha doctor. Their inter-caste relationship had drawn severe disapproval from her family. Kavin belonged to the Devendra Kula Vellalar community, which comes under Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu, while Subhashini's family is from the Maravar sub-caste of the Thevar community, falling under Most Backward Class (MBC).
Police have taken both Saravanan and Krishnakumari into custody for interrogation. Heavy police deployment continues in the area to maintain law and order. The investigation is being overseen by ACP Suresh, who has been appointed as the lead investigator in the case.