Honour Killing in Tirunelveli, India: 19-year-old boy kills sister

Thangathai
Age: 20
Murdered: December 5, 2023
Residence: Tirunelveli, Southern Tamil Nadu
Origin: India
Children: -
Perpetrator: brother Muthu (19)

On the evening of Tuesday, December 5, 2023, in Tirunelveli district, Southern Tamil Nadu, 19-year-old Muthu murdered his sister Thangathai (20) in a suspected 'honour' killing. Thangathai refused to end her relationship with a colleague from the Scheduled Caste (SC). Despite family attempts to intervene, she eloped with her partner. Thalaiyuthu police, acting on a complaint, brought Thangathai back home on Tuesday morning. However, Muthu, in a fit of rage, quarreled with her throughout the day and eventually killed her. Thalaiyuthu police arrested Muthu, who confessed to the murder, and seized the machete used. An investigation is ongoing, with Muthu facing charges under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.