Vijay’s TVK Approaches Supreme Court, Calls for Dedicated Law Against Honour Killings

TVK Approaches Supreme Court, Demands Separate Law Against Honour Killings

The Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has petitioned the Supreme Court, urging the enactment of a dedicated law to address caste-based honour killings, citing the inadequacy of existing legal provisions. The move follows the July 27 murder of 27-year-old Dalit software engineer Kavin Selvaganesh, who was allegedly hacked to death outside a hospital in Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, by Surjith, the brother of the woman he was in a relationship with. She belongs to the dominant Thevar community.

Surjith’s parents, both serving as sub-inspectors in Tamil Nadu police, were named in the FIR and later suspended, with his father, Saravanan, also arrested. Other political parties, including Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI, and CPI(M), have also called for special legislation.

Activists say Kavin’s case is not an isolated incident. Evidence, a Dalit rights organisation in Madurai, reports at least 80 caste-based honour killings in Tamil Nadu since 2015, with low conviction rates. They argue that a separate law would enable proper data collection, fast-track trials, witness protection, and official recognition of honour killings as a distinct category of crime.