HC seeks state reply on plea for CB-CID probe into dalit youth’s death

Madurai: The Madras high court on Wednesday directed the state to file a counter on a plea seeking a CB-CID probe into the death of a dalit youth, Hariharan, whose body was found in a quarry in Pudukkottai district.A division bench of Justices P Velmurugan and C Kumarappan also restrained the police from filing a final report before the concerned criminal court until further orders. The direction came on a public interest litigation filed by K Muruganandam, Pudukkottai district coordinator of Neelam Panpattu Maiyam. The petitioner said Hariharan, a Scheduled Caste youth, was in a consensual relationship with a woman from an intermediate caste, which her family opposed. According to the plea, the couple eloped in Nov 2025 following threats from the woman's family. Though police had earlier warned the family members, the petitioner alleged that no protection was provided to the youth or his family despite continued threats. Hariharan left home on April 21 after receiving a call from the woman regarding a forced marriage and went missing. His body, bearing injury marks, was found in a quarry on April 23. "The nature of the injuries and the surrounding circumstances give rise to a strong suspicion of homicide," the petitioner said, alleging bias on the part of the local police and seeking an impartial probe by the CB-CID. The plea also sought compensation for the family and a government job for a family member. The matter was posted after two weeks for the state to file its counter.