A 19-year-old mechatronics engineering student was brutally murdered in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, sparking a political controversy in the state. The student’s family claims that he was targeted because he had exposed drug abuse on campus, while the college management and police deny any drug-related motive for the killing.
According to police, preliminary post-mortem findings showed that the victim suffered severe blunt-force injuries from iron rods and wooden logs, resulting in fatal internal bleeding and acute respiratory failure. Police have arrested eight persons in connection with the murder and launched a hunt for 11 others who are absconding. The student’s father, Kennedy, alleged that his son was targeted because he had exposed drug abuse and ganja trafficking on the college campus.
The family also alleged that the college management and local police had pressured him to identify students involved in drug abuse and later leaked his identity to the accused. However, police said a preliminary inquiry indicated that the attack was linked to a retaliatory clash arising from a senior-junior dispute. The victim was intercepted near Malumichampatti and dragged to a nearby ground, where a group of youths allegedly assaulted him with iron rods and wooden logs.
The murder has given rise to two sharply conflicting narratives over the motive behind the attack. The college administration said the victim and another student had been suspended on July 24 following an incident on July 21, in which they allegedly assaulted hostel cook Manoj after violating the campus curfew. The college has handed over details of 15 other students to police to help identify those involved in the clash.
The issue was raised in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, leading to heated exchanges between the government and the Opposition. Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin raised the issue in the House and demanded accountability, citing the family’s allegation that the student was targeted for acting as an informant against campus drug peddlers.
Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, A Rajmohan rejected the allegation, saying the investigation so far indicated a localised retaliatory clash between student groups. Opposition parties have demanded an independent, high-level inquiry into the incident.
