MADURAI
The alleged rape and murder of a 19-year-old girl from Kulamangalam near Alampatti in Pudukkottai district recently was a case of honour killing by a man, who claimed to be in love with her, the Madurai-based non-governmental organisation Evidence claimed.
According to a fact-finding report by Evidence, the girl, who held a diploma in nursing, was employed in a pharmacy in Alampatti, and K. Nagaraj (30) from Paachukkottai, both belonging to different most backward communities (MBC), were in love.
The girl, who left home on Sunday morning, did not return home, following which her family registered a complaint with Alampatti police.
On Wednesday morning, her body was found tied in a gunny bag in Mathur tank in Mallipattinam with her face smashed, hands tied and severe injuries across her body. The Alampatti police arrested Nagaraj on the charges of rape, murder, attempt to destroy evidence and cheating.
He had, however, claimed that she died when he was having a physical relationship with her and subsequently disposed of her body.
Based on its enquiries, Evidence said that Nagaraj’s parents were looking for a bride for him and when the girl confronted him about this, he allegedly refused to marry her by citing differences in caste.
“Enraged by the girl’s insistence on marriage, Nagaraj killed her. The girl was also raped. It is not clear if only Nagaraj was involved in the crime or there were more men,” alleged A. Kathir, Executive Director of Evidence.
Contending that this was a case of honour killing, he said that such rape and murder of women must also be investigated by officers in the rank of Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) as in cases filed under Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to improve the chances of the guilty getting punished.
Demanding slapping of Goondas Act for Nagaraj and arrest of all other persons involved in the crime, Mr. Kathir urged the State government to sanction ₹ 25 lakh as compensation to the girl’s family.
