VELLORE: A 25-year-old man hacked his sister’s nine-year-old daughter to death to avenge his sister’s marriage to a Caste Hindu. The murder sent shock waves in the area.
The deceased was Priya, the youngest daughter of Lilly (alias) Usha and Shankar of Ariyur. Lilly, who belonged to the SC community and Shankar, a Caste Hindu, fell in love and got married against the wishes of their families 15 years ago. They were living in Ariyur.
David (alias) R Perumal (28), brother of Lilly, had developed hatred against his sister and her husband since their marriage. He also opposed her sister’s visit to their house at Katpadi.
Lilly, however, went to her parent’s house with Priya on May 30, to help her sister Asha in shopping, whose marriage was scheduled for June 6. After shopping, Lilly left leaving her daughter with Asha. Priya and her aunt were alone in the house as her grandparents had left for Chennai.
David came home around 11 pm on Saturday and shouted at Asha for allowing Priya into their house. He demanded that Asha send away the girl but when Asha refused, he grabbed a sickle and attacked his niece. Sustaining a minor injury, Priya took to her heels. However, David chased her and hacked her in the neck.
Though the locals rushed Priya to hospital, she was declared brought dead.
Asha also sustained injuries while trying to protect Priya. The locals handed over David to Katpadi police, who registered a case and remanded him in judicial custody in Vellore Prison.