The boy’s death turns out to be a murder, his mother arrested between the two

The death of a three-year-old boy in Mayiladuthurai district late last month has turned out to be a case of murder. The Sembanarkoil police arrested the child’s mother Kavipriya (26) and Abhinesh (31), with whom she was allegedly in a relationship, on charges of killing the child.

Police said Kavipriya married Kanivannan (30) of Pagasalai village in 2019 and the couple had two minor sons, one aged five and another three. The victim was a three-year-old child, Ilan. Sources said that problems arose between the couple after the alleged extra-marital affair the woman had with Abhinesh. The woman subsequently took the house on rent and lived separately in Akkur with her sons.

According to sources, Abhinesh used to visit Kavipriya’s house apart from talking to her on phone. On June 25, when they were both in the house, Abhinesh allegedly pushed the three-year-old child against the wall. The child fell unconscious upon impact.

The two took the child to the Mayiladuthurai Government Hospital, claiming that he had fallen unconscious after slipping in the bathroom. The child was subsequently referred to Thanjavur Government Medical College and Hospital, where he died on June 29.

The Sembanarkoil police station registered a case under 194 BNSS on the complaint of the child’s father, Kanivanan, who raised suspicions about his son’s death. The child was buried after an autopsy. The police were examining Kavipriya and Abhinesh’s mobile phone details and CCTV footage.

During a detailed investigation, Abhinesh reportedly confessed to the crime after which the case was changed to murder, leading to his recent arrest. The woman was arrested as an accessory to the crime, sources said. Abhinesh was lodged in the Cuddalore Central Jail while Kavipriya was lodged in the Special Prison for Women in Tiruchi.

Published – 06 Jul 2026 20:21 IST