Caste Dispute Turns Deadly in Tamil Nadu: SC Man Alleges Murder of 18-Year-Old Lover
A tragic incident in Madurai has sparked a police investigation after a scheduled caste man alleged foul play in the death of his 18-year-old girlfriend, claiming she was murdered by her family members who opposed their inter-caste relationship. The girl, who belonged to an intermediate caste, was found dead at her home in Pettai, Tirunelveli, on Sunday, with her parents insisting it was a suicide.
Conflicting Narratives Emerge in Teen's Death
According to police sources, the 18-year-old victim was pursuing her second-year undergraduate course and was found hanging at her residence. Her body was subsequently sent to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination. The Pettai police registered a case of suspicious death based on a complaint from the girl's mother, who stated that her daughter took the extreme step following a domestic quarrel.
However, on Monday, 23-year-old M Ananthakrishnan, a resident of the same locality and the deceased's boyfriend, submitted a formal complaint alleging murder. Ananthakrishnan, who belongs to a scheduled caste, told reporters that he had been in a relationship with the girl and that her family opposed their union due to caste differences.
Allegations of Caste-Based Opposition and Forced Confinement
Ananthakrishnan revealed that the couple had decided to marry in a temple on February 6 to circumvent family opposition. When the girl's family discovered their plans, they allegedly locked her inside the house to prevent the marriage. The young man claimed that the girl called him on Sunday, expressing fear that she was being threatened by her mother and maternal uncle.
"Later that evening, I received the devastating news of her death," Ananthakrishnan stated. "I strongly suspect she was murdered by her mother and uncle because they were vehemently against our marriage due to my caste background."
Police Investigation and Special Team Formation
A senior police official acknowledged that preliminary investigations suggested the girl died by suicide. Nevertheless, recognizing the gravity of the allegations, Tirunelveli city police have constituted a special team to probe the death thoroughly.
The official emphasized that the investigation would examine all angles, including:
- The specific allegations made by Ananthakrishnan regarding caste-based opposition and potential foul play
- The circumstances surrounding the girl's death and the events leading up to it
- Contradictions between the family's suicide claim and the boyfriend's murder allegation
- Any evidence of forced confinement or threats as described in the complaint
This case highlights the persistent challenges of inter-caste relationships in certain parts of India and raises serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the young woman's untimely death. The police investigation continues as authorities seek to determine the truth between conflicting accounts of suicide and alleged murder.
