Chennai Honour Killing Case: Madras High Court Rejects Plea For CBI Probe

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan dismissed the plea filed by V Gopi, father of the deceased Praveen. The court thus refused to transfer the pending investigation to the CBI.

Copy of detailed order is awaited.

Praveen was allegedly killed by his wife's family members who were unhappy with the marriage. Praveen belonged to the Scheduled Caste (SC) Adi Dravidar community while his wife belonged to the Most Backward Class (MBC) community.

Gopi contended that on February 24, 2024, his son was forcefully taken to a parking lot in Pallikaranai where the accused came with deadly weapons, assaulted and slaughtered Praveen who subsequently died. In his plea for CBI probe, Gopi submitted that the girl's family had conspired to murder his son with the help of his friends and relatives. It was submitted that the girl's father was a functionary of the ruling DMK party and was engaged in political and other communal activities. 

Gopi alleged that during the pendency of investigation, the girl's family, with the help of local police, had threatened her to withdraw the case and had been continuously subjected to threat and harassment.

Gopi further informed that the girl had also given a statement to the Judicial Magistrate at Alandur stating the threats meted out to her by her family. It was also informed that the girl was even contacted by a Superintendent of Police who openly threatened her to comply with what the police said. The court was informed that due to the continuous harassment by her family and the local police, the girl had committed suicide in April, 2024.

Gopi submitted that though representations were made to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, and the Commissioner informing them of the continuous threat, no action had been taken. Gopi submitted that the girl's family had close connection with the local police and due to their influence, the investigation had been stalled.

Gopi said that the chargesheet that had been laid down by the police had completely ruled out the incriminating circumstances that had been pointed out by the girl. It was also pointed out that the police had not produced the necessary evidence as per law. The court was also informed that two of the accused had been absconding and evading trial proceedings after being enlarged on bail.

Thus, considering all the circumstances, Gopi submitted that defects, omissions and deficiencies would likely impact the outcome of the trial adversely and such lapses would violate the fundamental right to fair trial of the victim. He had thus approached the court to transfer the investigation to the CBI.

Case Title: V Gopi v The State and Others

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Mad) 187

Case No: Crl Op 3670 of 2025