Bodies of teenage inter-caste lovers found in Mayiladuthurai district; violence erupts

Representative image | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The bodies of a 19-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl belonging to two different communities were found in a thatched shed at Sathangudi in Mayiladuthurai district on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), triggering tension in the village.

Police said the youth belonged to the Scheduled Caste community and lived in Pudhupalayam. The girl was from nearby Sathangudi and belonged to the most backward classes. The two were making love, which the girl’s parents allegedly resisted, according to the police.

The girl had completed class XII while the youth was a laborer engaged in civil works. Police sources said the youth filed a complaint with the Poraiyar police on Monday (June 29) alleging that he was assaulted, following which a case under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act was registered against the girl’s father and four others on Tuesday. Police on Tuesday arrested Surya, Surya alias Manimaran, Vasanth and Viji in connection with a case taken against them on a complaint preferred by the youth. The girl’s father is in police custody, police sources said.

Girl missing, bodies found

Sources said the girl was reported missing from her home in the wee hours of Tuesday. Her parents filed a complaint at the Poraiyar police station, suspecting the youth’s role. Subsequently, a complaint about the “disappearance of the girl” was registered.

Police later found the bodies of a youth and a girl inside a thatched shed in Sathangudi.

The news spread like wildfire and created tension in Sathangudi. Sources said the youth’s relatives attacked the house of the girl and one of her relatives on learning of his death, damaging household items and other items. One of the girl’s relatives was injured.

Allegation of caste killing

A team of police officers was deployed in the village to prevent the situation from escalating. The youth’s parents suspected foul play behind their son’s death and an alleged caste murder. The bodies were taken to the Government Medical College Hospital in Tiruvarur for post-mortem.

Superintendent of Police (in-charge), Mayiladuthurai G. Stalin inspected the spot on Tuesday and spoke to the two families separately. Sources said Mr. Stalin pacified the families and urged them to cooperate, besides ensuring that the exact cause of death would be determined on the basis of the post-mortem report and necessary action would be initiated accordingly.

A senior police officer said the Poraiyar police have registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS in connection with the deaths on the complaint of the village administrative officer.

As a precautionary measure, pickets were deployed at five places in and around Sathangudi with a team of police personnel including an additional Superintendent of Police and several Deputy Superintendents of Police deployed. Police are also investigating whether the two died by suicide.

Later in the day, the girl’s body was handed over to her family after an autopsy. Police said an autopsy on the youth’s body is yet to be conducted.

Members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi blocked the Sirkazhi-Karaikal Road and demanded that the case be changed to murder. The agitation led to the diversion of traffic.

(Help to overcome suicidal thoughts is available on State Health Line 104, Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha on Suicide Prevention Helpline 044-2464005)

Published – 30 Jun 2026 16:27 IST