Daijiworld Media Network- Chennai

Chennai, Jul 31: In a shocking twist to the alleged honour killing of 23-year-old Dalit techie Kavin Selvaganesh in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, the state police have arrested Sub-Inspector Saravanan, the father of the prime accused, Surjith. The arrest comes amidst growing public anger and relentless protests by Kavin’s family, who allege a caste-driven conspiracy and police complicity in the brutal murder.

Kavin, a promising software engineer from the Scheduled Castes community, was reportedly in a relationship with a woman from an upper-caste background—a Siddha doctor working at a local health centre. His relationship was allegedly met with hostility by the woman’s family. On the day of the murder, Kavin was last seen with Surjith, who was caught on CCTV footage taking him away on a two-wheeler.

Following the gruesome crime, Surjith was arrested and charged with murder under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The stringent Goonda Act was also invoked. However, as the investigation deepened, suspicions turned towards Surjith’s parents—both serving police officers—raising serious concerns about their possible role in either abetting or covering up the crime.

Now, with the arrest of Saravanan, the victim’s family and activists have intensified their demand for justice. They are refusing to accept Kavin’s body until Saravanan’s wife—also a sub-inspector—is arrested, alleging her involvement in the murder.

The case has been handed over to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) for an impartial probe. Both Saravanan and his wife had earlier been suspended from duty.

The incident has sparked statewide outrage, with political leaders and civil society condemning the caste-motivated violence. Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam leader Kamal Haasan strongly denounced the killing, urging for stringent action and a collective political stand against casteism.

As the CB-CID continues its probe, the demand for justice for Kavin resonates across Tamil Nadu, reigniting critical conversations around caste, honour crimes, and accountability within the police force.