Daijiworld Media Network- Chennai

Chennai, Aug 14: In a fresh development in the alleged dishonour killing of 23-year-old Dalit techie Kavin Selvaganesh, the Crime Branch-CID on Wednesday arrested another suspect for aiding the prime accused.

The arrested man, identified as Jeyapaul, is the cousin of the key accused, Surjith. According to investigators, Jeyapaul allegedly sheltered Surjith after the brutal murder. Surjith is accused of hacking Kavin to death on July 23 in Tirunelveli, reportedly in opposition to his sister’s inter-caste relationship with the victim.

Earlier, Surjith’s father, Saravanan — a serving Sub-Inspector — was arrested in connection with the killing. Both father and son face murder charges under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Surjith’s mother, also a police Sub-Inspector, has been suspended, while the victim’s family continues to demand her arrest.

Kavin, a software engineer from Thoothukudi, had been caring for his ailing grandfather at a Siddha centre where his girlfriend, a Siddha doctor from a dominant caste, worked.

Investigators allege that Kavin was lured away and later murdered. CCTV footage is said to show Surjith taking Kavin on his motorcycle shortly before the attack.

The murder, now under CBCID probe, has sparked outrage across Tamil Nadu over caste-based violence and alleged police complicity. Kavin’s family initially refused to collect his body, pressing for the arrest of all those involved.

With Jeyapaul’s arrest, police believe they have closed in on a crucial link in the chain of events. Meanwhile, an unverified video of Kavin’s girlfriend has surfaced online, in which she professes her love for him and claims her parents had no role in the crime.