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A second arrest was made on the night of Wednesday, July 30, in the murder of Dalit youth Kavin Selvaganesh, allegedly over his relationship with a woman from another caste. Saravanan, the father of the prime accused Surjith, was arrested by the Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID), as part of the ongoing investigation. Earlier on July 30, the case was transferred to CBCID by the state police, stating that it was to ensure a fair and transparent investigation, as both of Surjith’s parents are police officers and have been named as accused in the case.
“Surjith’s father and mother are working as Sub-Inspectors in the Tamil Nadu Special Police Force. To ensure a fair and transparent investigation, both of them have been suspended from duty. Considering the seriousness and importance of the case, and to guarantee an independent and unbiased investigation, the case has now been handed over to the CBCID,” the release stated.
Both the officers - Saravanan and his wife Krishnakumari - were suspended from service on July 29. Surjith was also detained under the Goondas Act, following orders from Tirunelveli Commissioner of Police, Santosh Hadimani.
On the afternoon of July 27, Kavin was hacked to death by Surjith in KTC Nagar, Tirunelveli. According to the preliminary investigation, Kavin and Surjith’s sister Subhashini were in a relationship, which was allegedly opposed by her family due to caste differences. Kavin belonged to the Scheduled Caste Devendra Kula Vellalar community, while Subhashini’s family is from the Thevar community’s Maravar sub-caste, falling under Denotified Communities (DNC) in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi.
