A 19-year-old woman from South Mayilodai village near Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district was allegedly murdered by her mother and brother over her relationship with a young man from another caste, with the accused subsequently attempting to pass off the death as a suicide, police said.
The deceased, identified as Abiselvi (19), was the daughter of Selvam and Esther Pauline. The couple also had a son, Sivagnanam (20). Selvam had passed away five years ago, after which Esther Pauline reportedly raised the family by working as a daily wage labourer at a biscuit manufacturing company.
On the morning of June 10, Esther Pauline and Sivagnanam informed the Kayathar police that Abiselvi had been found hanging in her bedroom. Police rushed to the scene, recovered the body and sent it to the Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
During preliminary questioning, Esther Pauline reportedly told police that her daughter had become distressed after being reprimanded for frequently chatting on Instagram. She claimed that Abiselvi had consumed pesticide before hanging herself.
However, neighbours reportedly expressed doubts about the suicide theory and informed investigators that they suspected foul play.
The post-mortem examination reportedly revealed injuries to Abiselvi’s neck and head consistent with severe blows, raising suspicions that the injuries, rather than hanging, may have caused her death.
Based on the medical findings, police intensified their investigation and questioned Sivagnanam. During the inquiry, investigators allegedly uncovered details pointing to a planned murder and cover-up.
According to police, Abiselvi had met a young man identified as Hari Prasad from Salem through Instagram approximately three years ago while she was still studying in school. What began as an online friendship reportedly developed into a romantic relationship.
Police said that as the relationship progressed, Abiselvi lost interest in her studies and eventually dropped out during Class 12, remaining at home thereafter.
Investigators stated that Esther Pauline became aware of the relationship after noticing her daughter spending long hours on the phone, often late into the night. Both Esther Pauline and Sivagnanam reportedly opposed the relationship because the couple belonged to different castes and repeatedly pressured Abiselvi to end it.
Police said frequent arguments over the relationship became known to neighbours as tensions within the family escalated.
According to investigators, the incident was triggered after Esther Pauline allegedly discovered Abiselvi engaged in a heated video call conversation with Hari Prasad late one night. She reportedly informed Sivagnanam, who was then working at a mill in Coimbatore.
Enraged by the situation, Sivagnanam allegedly travelled from Coimbatore to South Mayilodai.
Police allege that on the night of June 9, a confrontation broke out inside the house. During the argument, Sivagnanam allegedly attacked his sister with a wooden object found inside the house, striking her on the head and neck and causing injuries that proved fatal.
Investigators further alleged that after Abiselvi died, Sivagnanam and Esther Pauline conspired to conceal the crime. Police said the two allegedly poured pesticide into her mouth and suspended her body from a ceiling beam in an attempt to stage the death as a suicide.
The alleged cover-up unravelled after the post-mortem examination contradicted the family’s version of events and prompted further questioning by investigators.
Following the investigation, police arrested both Esther Pauline and Sivagnanam. The duo were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
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