A 25-year-old woman from Manachanallur in Trichy district died by suicide on Tuesday (14 April 2026) night following an alleged assault and public humiliation by local DMK workers during the distribution of election-related gift items. Police have arrested six persons in connection with the case, while three others remain absconding, as reported in DT Next.
The deceased, identified as Sindhuja, a resident of Vaazhaikattai village in Thalakudi panchayat, was married to Prasanth, an auto driver, and was the mother of a three-year-old girl.
According to Trichy district superintendent of police S. Selvanagarathinam, the incident occurred around 7.30 pm on Monday when DMK workers were distributing silver utensils to villagers. When Sindhuja approached them seeking the items, she was allegedly told that the gifts were meant only for party members and their relatives, as reported in Times of India.
An argument ensued after Sindhuja objected and reportedly stated that she would question the DMK candidate during vote canvassing. Police said that the confrontation escalated, with the group allegedly pulling her by her hair and dress and beating her with a broomstick. She was also subjected to verbal abuse and threats in public view.
The altercation intensified further when Sindhuja warned the cadre against supporting the DMK candidate S. Kathiravan, who was scheduled to campaign in the area. Following the incident, she reportedly felt deeply humiliated and withdrew from interacting with others in the locality.
On Tuesday night, Sindhuja informed her husband about the assault and urged him to identify those responsible. Police said Prasanth attempted to pacify her and suggested addressing the issue the next day. This reportedly led to further distress, following which Sindhuja pushed him out of the room, locked the door, and attempted to hang herself.
Hearing the commotion, neighbours and her husband broke open the door and rushed her to a private hospital. However, she died on the way.
On Wednesday (15 April 2026) morning, the Kollidam police retrieved the body and sent it to the Srirangam Government Hospital for postmortem. Subsequently, relatives of the deceased staged a road blockade on the Trichy-Lalgudi road and the Trichy-Salem bypass, demanding strict action against those involved. Traffic was disrupted before police intervened and held talks with the protesters.
Based on a complaint filed by Sindhuja’s mother Ilayarani, police registered a case against nine persons including Raja, Rajendran, Ravikumar, Rajkumar, Sureshkumar, Pushpam, Rajeswari, Karthiga, and Angumani under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 296 (obscene acts), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351 (criminal intimidation), 79 (insult to the modesty of a woman), and 108 (abetment of suicide). Relevant provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and the Representation of the People Act were also invoked.
Sindhuja, a 25-year-old woman is dead in Mannachanallur, all because she questioned why she wasn’t given the famed 8000 coupon. According to news reports, DMK campaign workers abused and assaulted her leading up to a situation where she eventually took her own l!fe. Of course, if… pic.twitter.com/bhftezZ17P
— Dr Meena Kandasamy மீனா கந்தசாமி (@meenakandasamy) April 15, 2026
Police arrested six accused, including a DMK branch secretary Rajendran, his wife Rajeswari, Raja, Pushpam, Ravikumar, and Angumani. They were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody. The remaining three, Sureshkumar, Rajkumar, and Karthiga are absconding, and a search is underway.
The Manachanallur Assembly constituency, where the incident occurred, is witnessing a multi-cornered contest involving candidates including S. Kathiravan (DMK), R.V. Bharathan (Singa Thamizhar Munnetra Kazhagam with AIADMK symbol), V. Saravanan (TVK), and R. Thenmozhi (NTK). Allegations of gift distribution to voters have also been reported against candidates from multiple parties, with complaints lodged before election authorities.
Meanwhile, AIADMK North District Secretary and former minister M. Pranjothi visited the victim’s family and consoled them.
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