Tragic Honour Killing: Parents Arrested for Murdering Daughter Over Inter-Caste Marriage

By Express News Service

THANJAVUR/TIRUPPUR: In a shocking incident, the Vattathikkottai police have apprehended a caste Hindu man and his wife for the alleged murder of their 19-year-old daughter. The heinous crime was committed due to the victim’s decision to marry a Dalit youth. The accused individuals have been identified as P Perumal (50) and Roja (45). They were produced before a Pattukkottai court and have been remanded in police custody for 15 days.

According to police sources, the incident took place on the night of January 2, when Perumal forcibly brought his daughter, Iswarya, back from Tiruppur. He physically assaulted her as she had married B Naveen, a Scheduled Caste youth from the neighboring village of Poovalur. Tragically, Iswarya succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of January 3. In an attempt to disguise the murder, Perumal staged it as a suicide by hanging her body from the ceiling, as per sources.

The accused, in an effort to destroy evidence, along with their relatives, took the victim’s body to the village cremation ground and performed the last rites. Later, Perumal returned to the cremation ground, collected the bones, and discarded them. It is believed that several other relatives may also face arrest in connection with the crime.

Iswarya, who was employed at a hosiery unit in Tiruppur, had married Naveen on December 31. However, Perumal and his relatives strongly opposed the inter-caste marriage and filed a missing person complaint on January 2. Consequently, Iswarya was brought back to her native village. Tragically, she was murdered on January 3. Following a complaint filed by Naveen on January 7, the Vattathikkottai police registered a murder case against the accused couple. They now face charges of murder and destruction of evidence.

Sada Sivakumar, the Thanjavur-Pudukkottai zonal secretary of VCK, met with Naveen, who is currently under police protection. Sivakumar expressed his party’s concern and urged the police to expedite the case. He also called for legislation to prevent caste-based killings in inter-caste marriages. Meanwhile, Palladam inspector of police, C Murugaiah, was suspended on Wednesday for “gross negligence” in conducting the investigation.

The district police department initiated an inquiry against Murugaiah following multiple complaints of mishandling and lack of seriousness in the case. A senior officer stated, “During the inquiry, it was found that Murugaiah did not properly follow the investigation procedures and displayed gross negligence. As a result, he has been suspended with immediate effect.” It was also revealed that Murugaiah had allowed the victim, Iswarya, to go with her parents after tracing her based on a missing person complaint filed by them.

It is a tragic incident that highlights the persisting problem of caste-based discrimination and honor killings in our society. The need for legislation to address such atrocities and protect individuals involved in inter-caste marriages is more pressing than ever.

ALSO READ: Police on Lookout for Father Who Killed Daughter for Marrying Scheduled Caste Youth in Tamil Nadu

Sources:

The New Indian Express