CPM welcomes verdict in Krishnagiri caste killing case

The Krishnagiri Principal District Sessions Court delivered a landmark verdict on November 14, 2025, awarding triple life sentences and an additional 10 years imprisonment to Dhandapani, the accused in the brutal caste-based killing case involving his son and mother. The case, which was tried under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, was registered at the Uthangarai police station. The incident occurred following the intercaste marriage of Subash, a 28-year-old from a Backward Class community in Arunapathi village near Uthangarai, and Anusuya, a woman from a Scheduled Caste in Kollapuram village, Ariyalur district, in March 2023. Despite strong opposition from Dhandapani, Subash’s father, the couple married and faced severe consequences. On the night of April 14-15, 2023, Subash and his grandmother Kannammal were attacked at their home by Dhandapani using a sickle. Both Subash and Kannammal died on the spot, while Anusuya was severely injured but survived after treatment at Salem Medical College Hospital. After nearly two and a half years of legal proceedings, Judge V. R. Latha sentenced Dhandapani to three life sentences plus an additional 10-year jail term and ordered a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh to Anusuya for rehabilitation. Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary P. Shanmugam welcomed the judgment as a significant step in the fight against caste-based violence in Tamil Nadu. He praised the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front and CPI(M) district units in Krishnagiri and Salem for their support to the survivor throughout the case. Shanmugam also lauded the special public prosecutor, supporting lawyers, and legal guidance provided by High Court advocate K.C. Karl Marx. Highlighting the continuing prevalence of caste-related murders in the state, Shanmugam called for stronger measures and applauded Anusuya’s resilience. He urged the state government to grant her a government job as part of her rehabilitation, emphasizing the importance of standing against casteist violence and supporting victims of honor crimes. This verdict sends a strong message to casteist forces and underlines the legal system’s commitment to protect inter-caste couples and uphold social justice in Tamil Nadu. @@@@