MADURAI: Observing that the results of the recent assembly election in TN have shown that people can indeed be convinced to vote without considering the caste or community of the candidates and a government has been formed by largely nullifying caste factor, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court urged the TVK government to take the initiative and responsibility to eradicate caste from the minds of the people.
Noting that nearly 59 honour killings were reported in the state over the past 10 years, Justice B Pugalendhi said, "The state can claim 'true change' only when the mindset of people is also changed." He made the observations while granting bail to a suspended sub inspector of police, K Saravanan, who is one of the accused in the case pertaining to the alleged honour killing of techie Kavin Selvaganesh in Tirunelveli.
According to the prosecution, Saravanan's daughter was in a relationship with Kavin. Due to this, Saravanan's son Surjith allegedly hacked him to death on July 27, 2025. Based on a complaint lodged by Kavin's mother Tamil Selvi, a case was registered against Surjith, Saravanan and his wife Krishnakumari on charges that they conspired together and orchestrated the murder. Surjith's cousin K Jayapal was also booked for helping them in destroying the evidence.
But Saravanan claimed in the appeal that he had no role in the murder. Citing that the investigation has been completed and the high court stayed the proceedings pending against him before the Tirunelveli court on April 29, he requested grant of bail.
Hearing the appeal, Justice Pugalendhi observed that the available materials were insufficient to presume that Saravanan had any role in Kavin's murder. But he must take responsibility for having brought up his son with casteism, the judge opined. Casteism has become deep rooted in the minds of the people and everyone, irrespective of their power or privilege, is experiencing it in one form or another, the judge observed.
"Only when the society transcends the artificial barriers of caste, will it truly awaken to the enduring truth that all human beings are equal and that there is truly no 'honour' in honour killings and it is a shameful act," he observed.
Holding that keeping Saravanan in jail any longer would amount to pre-trial imprisonment, the judge granted bail to him on condition that he should stay in Coimbatore and report to the RS Puram police twice daily until further orders.