Police launch probe into death of Dalit youth in Pudukottai

Police have launched an investigation into the death of a 20-year Dalit youth, whose body was found in a non-functional stone quarry in Pudukottai district a few days ago, after his parents raised suspicion of foul play.

The victim, whose identity was established as R. Hariharan of Keelapatti village, had left home on April 21 and did not return. His body was found in a non-functional quarry in Vellanur police station limits on April 23. 

Acting on a complaint from the victim’s father Rajkumar, the Vellanur police initially registered a case under section 194 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The body was sent to Pudukottai Government Medical College Hospital for a postmortem examination. But the youth’s parents refused to accept the body after completion of the post-mortem on April 24. They suspected that their son had been killed by family members of the girl with whom he was in love with earlier.

The Vellanur police subsequently altered the case to section 108 of the BNS (abetment of suicide) read with section 3 (2) (va) of The SC / ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act naming the girl, her father and her brothers as the accused. The victim’s parents received the body on April 27 and it was buried thereafter.

Police sources said the youth and the girl were in love had loved each other and had allegedly run away from their homes a few months ago. They were traced and the girl was handed over to her parents. Arrangements were said to have been made for the marriage of the girl. The case was being investigated by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Pudukottai.

The sources said the final report of the post-mortem was awaited.

Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.

The Hindu Bureau

Courtesy : The Hindu

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