Sangeetha, a 60 year old transwoman who opened the Covai Trans Kitchen, a restaurant entirely run by transpersons was found brutally murdered at her residence in Saibaba Colony in Coimbatore.
The murder had come to light after an acquaintance of Sangeetha had reported her to be missing for a few days.
Sangeetha was the president of the District Transgender Association in Coimbatore. She had set up the Covai Trans Kitchen in RS Puram area of Coimbatore just about an year ago.
According to reports, people who had been working with Sangeetha had been trying to reach her mobile but to no avail. Concerned, a couple of people working with Sangeetha visited her house and found it to be locked. Meanwhile, the owner of the house had complained of foul smell emanating from the house.
Sangeetha was found dead at her one bedroom residence with her throat slit and the body placed in a plastic drum with salt sprinkled over to delay the decomposition process. The recovered body was sent to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for autopsy.
The motive behind the murder is yet to be found. The police have registered a case under Section 302 (murder) and have formed two special teams to investigate the matter.
Sangeetha had been running a restaurant and had helped jobless transgender people to set up restaurants in Coimbatore during the lockdown. She had helped set up the Covai Trans Kitchen, which is entirely run by trans people. They specialise in biryani.
Speaking to The Commune, Intersex activist and National Council for Transgender Persons member Gopi Shankar Madurai said that ze is closely following the case with district authorities. Ze has called for a through investigation from ‘all angles’ including for questioning within the community.
Transwoman Sangeeta was brutally murdered and dumped in a water drum. Police recovered the body after 2-3 days. I am closely following this case with the concerned Dist Authorities. I hope to get a report soon after Forensic evidences are established. pic.twitter.com/zXezF5yQ69
— Gopi Shankar Madurai (@gopishankarmdu) October 21, 2020
Senior trans rights activist Priya Babu who helped Sangeetha set up the kitchen who is also following the case said that justice must be ensure to the deceased.
BJP State General Secretary Mrs. Vanathi Srinivasan called Sangeetha a committed person from the transgender community who served food with love and care. She has condemned the attack and has appealed to the Coimbatore City Police to investigate the matter.
Shocking …
Such a committed person to the transgender community, , who served food for us with love and care in Trans kitchen last month .@policecbecity and @Sumitips , please investigate& find out the truth .Condolence to her friends and team. https://t.co/ZezQ4X8yCZ
— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) October 21, 2020