Coimbatore honour killing: Brother of slain victim surrenders

The accused, Vinod, a daily wager, unleashed an attack on his own brother Kanagaraj (22), killing him on the spot on Tuesday, while his 16-year-old girl friend sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH).

Following opposition over their relationship from family members, Kanagaraj and the girl moved into a rented house and began to live together over the past few days. On Tuesday evening, Vinod visited his brother and broke into a quarrel over the issue. Suddenly, Vinod took out a sickle and hacked his brother to death on the spot.

The girl too suffered injuries on her head and face when she attempted to prevent Vinod from attacking Kanagaraj. The accused then fled from the scene, while the injured woman was rushed to CMCH for treatment, sources said.

Even as special teams of the police were on a search, the accused surrendered at the Mettupalayam police station.

The family members of the injured girl, who is recuperating at CMCH, expressed shock and sought maximum punishment to the accused. The girl’s father is working as a sanitary staff in Mettupalayam municipality.

Meanwhile, the body of Kanagaraj was handed over to his family members after a post mortem in CMCH.

The members of a few Dalit outfits led by TPDK general secretary K Ramakrishnan and VCK leader Susi Kalaiarasan petitioned District Collector K Rajamani demanding to detain the accused involved in the suspected honour killing under the Goondas Act. They also sought a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the girl’ family, besides providing protection.

Following the incident, the rural police have enhanced vigil in the Mettupalayam neighbourhood.