A brutal murder of a migrant family from Bihar in Chennai’s Adyar area has sparked shock and concern, prompting the Tamil Nadu government to issue an official statement urging the public not to spread misinformation or communal hatred in the wake of the crime.On the early morning of January 26, the bodies of Gourav Kumar, a young migrant worker from Bihar, and his two-year-old child were found in the Adyar locality. The gruesome discovery sent ripples through the community, with initial reports alleging that the entire family — including Gourav’s wife — had been murdered.
Police investigations led to the arrest of five men, also from Bihar, identified as Sikandar, Narendra Kumar, Ravindranath Thakur and Vikas, in connection with the killings. Authorities have ruled out any involvement of local residents in the crime and said the incident appears to stem from a personal dispute among the individuals involved, not from regional or community tensions.
The Tamil Nadu Fact Check unit has also debunked circulating social media claims that the murder reflects widespread anti-North Indian sentiment or that migrant workers in the state are unsafe. Officials noted that such false narratives are being spread with the intention of disturbing public peace.
In its statement, the Tamil Nadu government emphasised that migrant workers, including those from northern states like Bihar, live and work safely in the state. It urged people not to jump to conclusions based on unverified online posts that link the crime to broader anti-North Indian hatred. Such rumours, the statement said, are not only inaccurate but can also undermine community harmony and are punishable under law.
“Police investigations confirm that the perpetrators are not from Tamil Nadu. This case arose out of personal enmity and should not be misinterpreted as a law-and-order failure or communal issue,” the government said, adding a call to verify facts before sharing information and to “stop spreading fake news and uproot hatred.”
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the murder, including searching for additional suspects and clarifying details about how the crime unfolded. Authorities have appealed for calm and cooperation from the public as the case proceeds.