The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to produce the CCTV footage recorded on Tirunelveli- Seevalaperi stretch on July 27, 2025, the day techie Kavin Selvaganesh, who belonged to a Scheduled Caste, was murdered allegedly by the brother of his caste Hindu girlfriend.
Justice L. Victoria Gowri sought the CCTV footage while hearing petitions filed by the accused — K. Saravanan, father of main accused Surjith and K. Jayapal, Surjith’s cousin — who sought a direction to quash the chargesheet filed against them.
In his petition, Saravanan said the prosecution alleged that he facilitated hiding of Surjith in a quarry (after the crime). The distance between the place of murder and the hideout exceeded 15-20 km and there were 20-25 CCTV cameras along the route. Despite the availability of such crucial electronic evidence, the prosecution had failed to produce any CCTV footage showing whether he travelled to the quarry, Jayapal went there after Surjith’s arrival, or the duration of their alleged stay.
The petitioner said if such footage had been produced, it would clearly establish that he was not present at the hideout and he was the one who handed over Surjith to the police on the highway. The deliberate non-collection and suppression of this vital evidence demonstrated that the prosecution avoided producing material which would have exonerated him.
Jayapal said he learnt about the incident only after Surjith reached the quarry. The prosecution case, even as pleaded in the final report, did not disclose any material to show he had prior knowledge of the crime or that he prearranged any shelter for Surjith.
He said on the contrary, the sequence of events indicated that Surjith independently proceeded to the quarry. Only after Surjith’s arrival did he become aware of the incident. There was no admissible material such as prior call, message or independent witness to establish he directed Surjith towards the quarry.
Kavin from Arumugamangalam near Eral in Thoothukudi district was in a relationship with Siddha doctor S. Subhashini of Palayamkottai, who belongs to an intermediate caste.
Kavin was murdered on July 27, 2025, allegedly by Ms. Subhashini’s younger brother Surjith. The police arrested Surjith, his father Saravanan, a Sub-Inspector of Police, and cousin Jayapaul for assisting him. Surjith’s mother Krishnakumari, also an SI, has been placed under suspension.
Published – January 21, 2026 09:45 pm IST
