VCK And Tamil Nadu Government Press For Special Law After Couple Found Dead

State Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu announced at the Ezhilagam premises in Chennai that the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Tamil Nadu government are actively pressing for a special law to prevent honour killings. The legislative push follows the suspicious deaths of a young inter-caste couple in Mayiladuthurai district on the last day of June, which has sparked local protests and a police investigation.

Speaking to the media after paying homage to former Deputy Prime Minister of India Jagjivan Ram on his death anniversary by garlanding his statue, Minister Vanni Arasu stated that he had already raised the need for such a law during the first session of the Assembly. He affirmed that he would continue to raise the issue in the coming sessions of the legislature to ensure the law is enacted.

The renewed demand for legislation comes after a 19-year-old Dalit boy and a 17-year-old girl from a Most Backward Classes (MBC) community were found dead inside a thatched shed near Sathangudi village in Tarangampadi taluk. The girl hailed from Sathangudi, while the boy was from the neighbouring Pudupalayam village. Their bodies were discovered on the last day of June, triggering immediate tension in the area.

The deaths sparked protests by the local residents of Pudupalayam village, who were joined by supporters of the VCK and various Left parties demanding justice for the youth.

In response to the incident, the Tamil Nadu Police have filed three First Information Reports (FIRs). Notably, one of these FIRs was registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This specific case was filed based on a formal complaint lodged by the 19-year-old victim himself, hours before his death.

Minister Vanni Arasu assured the public that investigations into the case are currently ongoing. He stated that if the final police probe confirms the young couple were indeed victims of honour killing, the state government will make the details public based on documentary evidence. He added that stringent action would be taken against those found responsible for the deaths.