Tension gripped the Kaveripattinam area of Krishnagiri district on Monday following the circulation of a disturbing video. The footage showed relatives tying a 70-year-old woman to a tree, assaulting her, and later attacking a man who attempted to intervene.
Violent Confrontation Over Unpartitioned Land
The victim, identified as Unnamalai (70), resides with her two sons, their wives, and her grandchildren. The incident, however, occurred on Sunday. It began when her nephew, Kumar—the son of her deceased husband's brother—arrived with other relatives. They used a tractor to plough a plot of land that remains unpartitioned and is the subject of a pending court case.
When Unnamalai objected to this action, citing the ongoing legal proceedings, it triggered a furious reaction. Kumar, aided by his wife Kalpana (45), proceeded to tie the elderly woman to a coconut tree. They then allegedly thrashed her and, in a further act of intimidation, continued to plough the land right in front of her while she was bound.
Relative Who Rushed to Help Also Attacked
Upon learning of the assault, a relative named Annamalai, who is a functionary of the BJP's technical wing from Dharmapuri, rushed to the scene. His attempt to reason with the assailants or help Unnamalai proved futile. He was also reportedly assaulted by Kumar and his group of relatives.
It was only after other relatives of Unnamalai alerted the local police that Kumar and Kalpana untied the elderly woman and left the location. The police were then able to initiate a formal investigation into the entire episode.
Police Action and Judicial Custody
Acting on the complaint, Krishnagiri police arrested three individuals on Monday. The arrested persons are Kumar (53), Kalpana (45), and another relative named Prabhakaran. Following their arrest, all three were produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
Police officials have confirmed that a thorough investigation is ongoing to examine all aspects of the property dispute and the violent events that unfolded. The case has sparked outrage locally, highlighting tensions that can arise from protracted land and family disputes.
