ollowing the brutal killing of dalit youth K Vairamuthu near Mayiladuthurai on Monday, police arrested the mother of his girlfriend, Malini, on Wednesday. K Vijaya was booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal conspiracy.
K Vijaya belongs to a backward class community, while her husband Kumar and daughter Malini share the same scheduled caste community as the victim. The victim’s family alleged that Vairamuthu was murdered due to Vijaya’s resentment toward their relationship.
Vairamuthu and Malini, both aged 26, had been in a relationship for ten years. Vairamuthu worked as a motorcycle mechanic, while Malini was employed in a private company in Chennai. On Monday, Vairamuthu was attacked by six men wielding sickles as he returned home on his two-wheeler. He died of grievous injuries at the government hospital.
On Tuesday, Malini’s brother K Kuhan (21), uncle S Baskar (42), and Kuhan’s friend A Anbunithi were arrested and charged with murder under Section 103(1).
Police said Vijaya’s anger escalated after Malini confirmed her intent to marry Vairamuthu during police mediation and had moved in with him planning a simple registered marriage last week.
However, Mayiladuthurai SP G Stalin denied that the murder was caste-motivated, stating, “Vijaya resented Vairamuthu’s economic status and was upset that Malini chose him against a match of her choice.”
Vijaya was arrested following protests from Vairamuthu’s family, Malini, and members of various social movements. The SP added, “Despite Vairamuthu belonging to the same community as her daughter, Vijaya disapproved of him.” The investigation is ongoing.
