Tirunelveli Caste Killing: Five Days After Murder, Funeral of Kavin Held in His Native Village
The funeral of Kavin Selvaganesh, the 27-year-old Dalit software engineer brutally murdered in a caste-based attack in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, was held five days after his death in his native village in Thoothukudi district. The delay in the funeral followed his family’s refusal to receive the body immediately, demanding strict legal action against all accused, including the parents of the main perpetrator who are serving as police sub-inspectors.
Background and Funeral Delay
Kavin was attacked and hacked to death on July 27 near a Siddha hospital in KTC Nagar, Tirunelveli, allegedly by S Surjith, the brother of Kavin’s girlfriend, Subashini, who belongs to a different caste. The brutality of the murder and caste motivations have drawn widespread condemnation.
Kavin’s family withheld his body for multiple days demanding the arrest of Surjith’s police officer parents, Saravanan and Krishnakumari, named as co-accused. They alleged that the accused’s family used their official positions to intimidate Kavin and influence the investigation.
Following intense protests and direct intervention by senior government officials, including ministers and police officers, the case was transferred to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) to ensure an impartial probe. After these developments, his family ultimately accepted the body.
Funeral and Community Response
The funeral rites were conducted in Kavin’s home village, drawing attention to the severe social tensions around caste-based violence in Tamil Nadu. Leaders from Dalit rights organizations and political parties condemned the killing and demanded new laws to prevent caste-based honor killings.
Investigation Status
The CB-CID is now leading the investigation to ensure unbiased inquiry.
The accused Surjith has been detained under the Goondas Act.
Kavin’s family continues to press for the arrest and prosecution of all involved, including the accused police officers.
Calls for a second post-mortem and transparent proceedings have been made by activists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Tirunelveli Caste Killing and Kavin’s Funeral
Q1: When was Kavin’s funeral held?
Kavin’s funeral was held on August 1, five days after his murder on July 27, 2025.
Q2: Why was the funeral delayed?
The family delayed accepting the body, demanding arrests of all accused, including the police officer parents of the main perpetrator.
Q3: Who was responsible for Kavin’s murder?
The main accused is S Surjith, brother of Kavin’s girlfriend, with his parents (both police sub-inspectors) also named as co-accused.
Q4: What caste communities are involved in this case?
Kavin belonged to the Dalit (Scheduled Caste) Devendra Kula Vellalar community; the accused and girlfriend are from the Most Backward Class (MBC) Maravar community.
Q5: What is the status of the investigation?
The investigation has been transferred to CB-CID for an independent probe; Surjith is detained under the Goondas Act.
Q6: What has been the public and political response?
There have been protests condemning the caste-based killing, demands for special legislation against caste violence, and calls for justice by Dalit rights groups and political leaders.
Published on: August 1, 2025
Published by: PAVAN
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