Tragedy struck in Pallikaranai as a 26-year-old Dalit youth, G. Praveen, was brutally murdered on Saturday night, allegedly for marrying a Hindu girl against her family’s wishes. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the deep-rooted issues of caste-based violence and honor killings.
Praveen, a mechanic residing on Ambedkar Street in Pallikaranai, had fallen in love with Sharmila, a 21-year-old final year student at a private college. Despite belonging to different castes, the couple tied the knot in October 2023, without the consent of Sharmila’s family, who hails from the Most Backward Class (MBC) community.
The marriage infuriated Sharmila’s family, particularly her brother Dinesh, who felt that Praveen had tarnished their family’s reputation. Dinesh, driven by a desire for vengeance, allegedly conspired with four accomplices ā Stephen, Vishnuraj, Sriram, and Jothilingam ā to carry out the heinous act.
According to authorities from the Tambaram Police Commissionerate, Praveen’s life was cut short in a brutal attack orchestrated by the group on Saturday night. The perpetrators, including Dinesh, were promptly apprehended by law enforcement officials the following day, shedding light on the chilling premeditation behind the crime