The Madras High Court has firmly rejected the bail application of a police officer accused in a brutal honour killing case, underscoring the grave threat such crimes pose to the legal system and societal values. Justice K Murali Shankar, delivering the order on December 3, 2025, observed that the issue of honour killing remains a "serious challenge" to law and justice in India.
Court's Stern Observations on Honour Crimes
Justice K Murali Shankar made poignant remarks about the persistent nature of honour-based violence. He stated that when a young couple falls in love and marries against their family's or society's wishes, it can tragically lead to lethal violence by relatives under the guise of protecting 'honour'. The court emphasised that such acts continue to plague Indian society despite the constitutional guarantees of personal liberty and the freedom to choose one's marriage partner.
Dismissing the bail plea, the bench pointed out that the mere filing of a chargesheet and the court taking cognisance of the case are insufficient grounds for granting bail in a case involving such a brutal murder. The court considered the gravity of the charges and the alleged role of the accused before declaring the appeal without merit.
Details of the Honour Killing Case
The case pertains to the killing of a man in July 2025. The victim, who belonged to the Hindu Devendra Kula Vellalar community, was employed with a multinational company. He and the daughter of the accused were school friends who later fell in love.
The accused, the woman's father, is a Sub-Inspector serving in the Tamil Nadu Police force and hails from the Hindu Maravar community. After being denied bail by a sessions court, he approached the Madras High Court challenging that order.
Arguments Presented in Court
During the hearing, the arguments from both sides painted a stark picture. Advocate B Mohan, representing the complainant, contended that the police investigation was neither proper nor lawful, and alleged it was designed to shield the father and other accused. He also argued that the probe ignored crucial conspiracy angles.
Government counsel B Thanga Aravindh asserted it was a "clear case of honour killing" and opposed bail, fearing the accused would threaten witnesses and tamper with evidence if released.
Defending the police officer, senior advocate N Anantha Padmanabhan claimed his client was innocent. He argued that the accused was on duty as a Special Sub-Inspector at the time of the incident and only learned about it later from television broadcasts. The counsel also submitted that his client had no knowledge of his daughter's meetings with the victim or his family.
The Madras High Court, however, found these defences unconvincing in light of the serious allegations, leading to the dismissal of the bail plea and reinforcing a strict stance against honour-based crimes.
