CB-CID to probe Tirunelveli honour killing; accused’s dad held

CHENNAI:The state police on Wednesday transferred the probe into the murder of a Dalit IT engineer, a case of suspected honour killing, to the CB-CID and also invoked the Goondas Act against the accused.

Later in the day, the police arrested SI Saravanan, the father of the accused. Further, the police said Goondas Act was also slapped on the accused, Surjith, on Wednesday. He was arrested on July 27 following the murder.

In order to ensure an impartial and transparent probe, both the parents of the accused, who are sub-inspectors with the TN Special Police Battalion, have been suspended, the office of the DGP said in an official release.

“Considering the nature and importance of this case, to ensure an independent, fair and impartial enquiry, the case has been transferred to the CB-CID,” the police said.

The FIR names Surjith, his father Saravanan and mother Krishnakumari (both police SIs). The accused also face charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Kavin Selvaganesh, the 27-year-old victim, was employed as an engineer with a software firm in Chennai. Surjith’s sister and Kavin were known to each other, and the preliminary probe indicated that the murder may be its fallout, the police said.

According to the police, on July 27, Surjith invited Kavin to his home for a discussion.

Trusting him, Kavin went along with him. But en route, Surjith abruptly stopped his two-wheeler, pulled out a sickle, and indiscriminately attacked Kavin. Though Kavin attempted to flee, Surjith overpowered him and hacked him to death.

Meanwhile, Surjith, arrested in connection with the murder, was on Wednesday remanded in judicial custody for 14 days. The accused was produced in the Second Additional Sessions Court in Tirunelveli.

Kavin’s family has refused to accept his body from Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, demanding the arrest of Surjith’s parents who have also been named as accused in the FIR.

While Surjith’s father was arrested, his mother Krishnakumari is still at large.