Honor killing: Father confesses to hacking inter-caste couple to death
What's the story
In the wee hours on Thursday, a pregnant woman and her husband were hacked to death in their home in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The police had earlier suspected 'honor killing' to be the motive since the couple had an inter-caste marriage and arrested the woman's father. As per the latest development, the father has now confessed to murdering the Dalit inter-caste couple.
Details
Woman's father confessed to murder; says he acted alone
According to The News Minute, Alagar (55), confessed to killing his daughter, Jothi, and her husband, Solairaj. Alagar claimed to have committed the crime alone and stated it was an act of vengeance against their inter-caste marriage. While Jothi was from the Pallar community, Solairaj belonged to the Paraiyar community of Scheduled castes. However, Solairaj's relatives claim there is more to the story.
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Solairaj's family claims others were involved; dissatisfied with investigation
Solairaj's uncle, Antony, told TNM, "There are some eyewitnesses in the village who say a group of men was seen fleeing from the spot on bikes. We don't think that a 55-year-old could've easily overpowered two young people." He added, "In fact, the perpetrator hadn't even entered through the door. He jumped into the house. We're not very satisfied with the investigation."
Police investigation
Alagar acted alone; killed couple while they were sleeping: Police
However, police investigation maintains that Alagar acted alone and killed the couple while they were asleep. Superintendent of Police Arun Balagopalan told TNM, "Around 4 am on Thursday morning, Alagar entered the house where the couple was sleeping on the porch. There was no electricity. He used an 'Aruval' (machete) to murder them." The police booked Alagar for murder and under the SC/ST Act.
History
Backstory: Jothi went against family, married Solairaj in April
On Thursday, Solairaj's mother, Muthumari, discovered the couple's bodies when she went to their home in Thanthai Periyar Nagar area. Muthumari's sister told TNM, "Their heads were hanging off their necks and Jothi's wrists were cut." Both Jothi and Solairaj were 24 years old and had fallen in love while working in a salt pan. They got married in April against Jothi's family's wishes.
Inaction allegations
Alagar threatened couple in past; killing was preventable: Solairaj's family
Further, Solairaj's family claims the crime could have been prevented, but the police were inactive. Alagar had earlier threatened the couple with violence, but the police left him with a warning. Separately, activists highlighted the Madras HC order in Manmeet Singh v/s State of Haryana case in 2016, ordering the police to form Special cells across districts to deal with cases of inter-caste couples.
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Police in contempt of court, says human rights organization
"The cell is required to give protection to couples who had concerns on safety and to provide counseling to the parents involved," Social Awareness Society for Youth (SASY) director, Pandian, told TNM, adding, "The police is in contempt of court."