Dalit youth murder: Kowsalya's uncle held

The police have arrested the maternal uncle of Kowsalya from his hideout near Dindigul on Tuesday, for the murder of her dalit husband.

Investigations have revealed that it was Pandithurai, 49, a resident of RM Colony in Dindigul who instigated Kowsalya's family to murder her husband Shankar. Pandithurai is the brother of Kowslya's mother Annalakshmi, who is still absconding. ""It was Pandithurai who first questioned why they shouldn't murder Kowsalya. He also played an important role in the conspiracy thereafter,'' said a police officer.

Pandithurai had also allegedly admitted to the police that they in fact wanted to murder Kowsalya as she had brought 'shame' to the family.

According to police, Pandithurai couldn't digest seeing his sister Annalakshi heart broken after Kowsalya married Shankar against the family's wishes. He made several attempts to convince Kowsalya to part ways with Shankar and return to their family. ""However, when Kowsalya stood her ground and refused to separate from Shankar, Pandithurai got angry. Pandithurai told us that he could not bear to see his sister suffering and hence suggested that they murder Kowsalya and Shankar,'' said a police officer. Chinnasamy agreed to the plan and asked Pandithurai to go ahead, police said. Subsequently, Pandithurai and Chinnsamy conspired with the other accused and carried out the attack.

Pandithurai was produced before the judicial magistrate court in Udumalpet and remanded to Coimbatore Central prison. The police have also intensified the search for Annalakshmi. They have so far arrested six people in connection with the case while two have surrendered before court.

The police have taken into custody Prasanna, 20, a second year B.Com student of a private college, who was also involved in Shankar's murder. ""We are yet to ascertain his role in the murder. Only after a through probe we will be able to establish the role played by each of the accused,'' the police officer said. Kowsalya's father Chinnasamy has been under police custody for the past three days.

Meanwhile, cadres of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal presented a cheque of 1 lakh to Kowsalya.

On March 13, a five-member gang murdered Shankar in full public view in Udumalpet. The gang attacked Kowsalya also. Shankar died on the way to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH).

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