Shocking allegations have emerged in the case of the ‘honour killing’ of 27-year-old Kavin, an IT engineer from Chennai who was murdered while visiting his hometown. The victim’s family has accused a local police inspector, Kasi Pandian, of facilitating the crime and shielding the accused due to caste affiliations.
Kavin, who belonged to a Scheduled Caste community, was allegedly murdered by Surjith, the son of Special Police Force Sub-Inspector Saravanan, in a case believed to be motivated by caste and opposition to Kavin’s relationship. The murder sparked widespread condemnation, prompting the Tamil Nadu government to transfer the case to the Crime Branch-CID (CBCID). Surjith has since been arrested and booked under the Goondas Act, while his father Saravanan has also been taken into custody and remanded to judicial custody on 8 August 2025.
In a serious accusation, Kavin’s father alleged that Palai Inspector Kasi Pandian played a direct role in enabling the murder. According to the family, it was Inspector Kasi Pandian who first warned Kavin a week before the murder, reportedly threatening him to end his relationship. The family claims that Kasi Pandian told Kavin, “You should give up this love,” during a confrontation.
Kavin was murdered within a week of this alleged threat.
The family further alleges that Inspector Kasi Pandian provided Surjith with information about Kavin’s movements specifically, that he was coming to Tirunelveli from Chennai, which facilitated the ambush. Moreover, it was reportedly the same inspector who ensured Surjith surrendered to police immediately after the crime.
The victim’s father claims that the accused and the inspector share a caste affiliation and history of association, having served or trained together in units such as the Manimutharu Battalion. He alleged that a “katta panchayat” (kangaroo court) had been held prior to the murder and accused the inspector of operating more like a “mercenary leader” than a law enforcement officer. He demanded that Kasi Pandian be dismissed from service.
Adding weight to the allegations, Kavin’s relative Muthuvalvan also came forward in a video interview, confirming that Inspector Kasi Pandian had threatened Kavin days before the murder and accusing him of siding with the accused family.
The allegations have sparked public outrage, particularly over the role of police officials in enabling or failing to prevent caste-based violence. Videos and images circulating online show Surjith posing with weapons, raising further concerns about the environment in which the crime was committed.
It has also been alleged that Inspector Kasi Pandian was previously linked to the controversial murder of BJP functionary Jagan in 2023, under similar circumstances involving threats and caste tensions.
The matter is now under the purview of the CB-CID.
(With inputs from Malai Malar)
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