CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has refused bail to V Prasanna Kumar of Karikaaranpudhur, Palani, arrested on March 18 in connection with the murder of Sankar, a Dalit murdered for marrying his caste Hindu lover.
“It is very unfortunate that the alleged occurrence has taken place as a honour killing,” said Justice S Vaidyanathan. He also directed the administration and police throughout the country to see to it that if any boy or girl who is a major opts for intercaste or interreligious marriage, they were neither to be harassed by anyone nor subjected to threats or acts of violence. Anyone who violates this would face criminal proceedings under the law.
“The accused (Prasanna Kumar), a close relative of Kausalya, had aimed to kill the couple. However, the woman survived. Freeing the petitioner and other accused would certainly endanger the life of Kausalya, who is under police protection. Even the earlier bail application moved by the petitioner stood dismissed after taking note of the fact that even after the murder of Sankar, there was an attempt to abduct Kausalya,” the judge said and rejected the bail plea.
The petitioner was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on March 18 for offences punishable under various sections of the laws.
The prosecution case was that in the afternoon of March 13, on a busy Street near the Central Bus Stand in the town, the hired killers of Kumar (accused No. 10), intercepted the couple and brutally attacked them. While Sankar died on the spot, Kausalya, who tried to protect her husband, suffered grievous injuries. She collapsed on the road but survived after treatment. As per the statement of the complainant, Sankar’s father, the offence was committed by six identifiable persons. They were arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
“The nation is passing through a crucial transition period and the court cannot remain silent in matters of great public concern, such as the present one. The caste system is a curse on the nation and the sooner it is destroyed the better. In fact, it is dividing the nation at a time when we have to be united to face the challenges before the nation. Hence, intercaste marriages are in fact in national interest as they will result in destroying the caste system. However, disturbing news is coming from several parts of the country that young men and women who opt for inter-caste marriage, are threatened with violence, or violence is actually committed on them. In our opinion, such acts of violence or threats are wholly illegal and those who commit them must be severely punished. This is a free and democratic country, and once a person becomes a major they can marry whosoever they like,” the judge added.