A Scheduled Caste man has alleged foul play in the death of his 18-year-old lover in Tirunelveli, claiming she was murdered by her family members who opposed their inter-caste relationship. The girl’s parents, however, have told police that she died by suicide. Tirunelveli city police have formed a special team to investigate the case.
Girl found dead at home
According to police sources, the 18-year-old girl, a resident of Pettai and a second-year undergraduate student, was found dead at her house on Sunday. She was allegedly found hanging. Her body was sent to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Based on a complaint from the girl’s mother, Pettai police registered a case of suspicious death, stating that her daughter took the extreme step following a quarrel at home.
Lover alleges murder over caste opposition
On Monday, M Ananthakrishnan (23), also from Pettai, submitted a complaint alleging that the girl was murdered by her family members. Speaking to reporters, he said the two were in a relationship and had decided to get married at a temple on February 6.
He alleged that the girl’s family opposed the relationship due to his caste and had confined her to the house after learning about the marriage plan. Ananthakrishnan further claimed that the girl called him on Sunday saying she was being threatened by her mother and maternal uncle. He said he later learned of her death the same evening.
Special team formed
A senior official from the Tirunelveli City Police said preliminary findings pointed towards suicide, but confirmed that a special investigation team has been constituted.
“All angles will be examined, including the allegations made by the युवक,” the officer said, adding that post-mortem findings and statements from family members would be crucial to the probe.
The case has reignited discussions around caste-based opposition to relationships and the need for thorough, impartial investigations in such sensitive deaths.