TN: Three years ago, a Dalit woman journalist was jailed for bike theft and became the target of casteist hatred and police indifference.

The entire family, including the pregnant sister-in-law, was beaten up. The family alleges that despite video evidence, the police is deliberately not taking action.

On June 23, the victims filed a complaint at the Arakandanallur police station. Police charged the accused under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and the BNS Act. However, two weeks later, the main accused remains at large. Police have arrested only the fourth accused. 

Published on: 

July 8, 2026, 11:32 am

Villupuram – A 27-year-old Dalit woman journalist, who reported a theft three years ago in V. Sithamur village in Villupuram district , Tamil Nadu , is now facing the “punishment” for that very complaint. She has been a constant target of casteist hatred since two influential caste brothers were jailed. On June 22nd, her brother and entire family were brutally attacked, including her pregnant sister-in-law, who was beaten with slippers. Two weeks later, the main accused remain at large, and the Tamil Nadu police’s callousness is evident.

What is the whole matter?

In January 2023, two bikes were stolen from the journalist’s home. He filed a complaint and named two local youths, Raghu and Ambu. Police investigations revealed the brothers were habitual bike thieves. Fifteen bikes and two tractors were recovered from them. However, the journalist’s bike was never found. Both brothers were arrested and later released on bail.

The two brothers had been angry with the female reporter ever since, threatening her with dire consequences for complaining against influential caste people.

On June 22, a quarrel broke out between Ambu and an insurance agent in front of a shop outside the journalist’s home. The woman’s brother, Sanju (31), calmly asked them to leave the shop. Ambu left, but returned a short time later with Raghu and other associates.

The gang began hurling casteist abuse at Sanju and assaulting him. Hearing the commotion, Sanju’s pregnant wife, his brother’s wife, and his mother (58) came out of the house. The accused men also hurled casteist abuse at the women and attacked them. Raghu hit the pregnant woman three times with a slipper and pushed her. The mother’s sari was torn.

The accused openly threatened the family, “Whenever the journalist goes out for work, we will target her too.” The entire incident was captured on CCTV installed at the house.

On June 23, the victims filed a complaint at the Arakandanallur police station. Police charged the accused under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and the BNS Act. However, two weeks later, Raghu, Anbu, and another key accused remain at large. Police have only arrested the fourth accused, Kumar.

Police claim the accused are in Bengaluru, but their “exact location” is unclear. Families and activists allege that the police are deliberately inaction despite video evidence.

Human rights activist V. Lalitha, who is providing legal assistance to the family, told TNIE that several villages under the Arakandanallur police station (Vadakaraithalanur, Vasantha Krishnapuram, Veerapandi Pulikkal, Kadaknoor, etc.) have witnessed cases of mass violence and murder against Dalits over the past decade, but none have resulted in convictions. Lalitha says, “Immediate arrest is required under the SC/ST PoA Act. Excuses like ‘untraceable’ point to police complicity. This station has consistently failed to handle cases involving Dalits.”

The victim, a female journalist, said, “My sister-in-law is in her second trimester of pregnancy and is experiencing severe pain. We are all scared, but I am not going to give up my job out of fear.”