Dalit techie hacked to death in daylight ‘honor killing’; police officers’ son arrested, parents named as co-accused

In a chilling case of caste-based violence, a 27-year-old Dalit software engineer was brutally hacked to death in broad daylight recently in what police have confirmed as an honor killing. The accused, 21-year-old S Surjith — son of two police sub-inspectors — surrendered soon after the attack that has ignited public outrage and triggered protests across southern Tamil Nadu.

The victim, Kavin Selva Ganesh, a TCS software engineer from Thoothukudi, was allegedly murdered near a private Siddha hospital in Tirunelveli’s KTC Nagar by Surjith, younger brother of Subashini, a consultant doctor with whom Kavin had been in a long-term inter-caste relationship.

The accused’s parents — sub-inspectors Saravanan and Krishnakumari — have also been named in the FIR, with the victim’s family alleging the police couple repeatedly threatened Kavin and played an active role in orchestrating the murder.

According to the FIR filed by Kavin’s mother, S Tamizhselvi, the young engineer had gone to consult Subashini regarding his grandfather’s health when Surjith approached him, saying their parents wanted to talk. Trusting the request, Kavin rode pillion with Surjith towards Astalakshmi Nagar.

Moments later, Surjith allegedly stopped the vehicle, confronted Kavin about his relationship with his sister, and then pulled out a sickle concealed on his back. He then launched a frenzied attack in full public view.

Eyewitnesses said Kavin tried to escape but was chased down and hacked multiple times, collapsing on the road just 200 metres from the hospital. Police rushed to the scene and retrieved CCTV footage of the attack. Kavin was declared dead at the Tirunelveli Government Hospital.

The incident has sparked widespread protests in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, with angry crowds demanding immediate arrest and suspension of Surjith’s parents. The victim’s family has refused to claim his body, insisting that those in uniform cannot be allowed to shield their son or manipulate the investigation.

Kavin and Subashini had reportedly known each other since school and maintained a relationship despite mounting caste hostility. While Kavin belonged to a Scheduled Caste, Subashini and her family come from a Most Backward Class background. The family allegedly opposed the match and threatened Kavin on several occasions.

Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015. Surjith remains in custody while authorities probe the role of his parents in what is now being seen as a state-enabled honour killing.

“The parents used their police power to terrorize my son. We want justice. Not just for Kavin, but for every Dalit child whose dreams are cut down by caste,” said Tamizhselvi in a statement.

As protests intensify, pressure is mounting on the Tamil Nadu government and police department to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of power by law enforcement families in caste-motivated crimes.