Tamil Nadu Poll Results Show Voters Can Move Beyond Caste, Calls for Eradication of Casteism: Madras HC [Read Order]

Chennai: The Madras High Court observed that the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly election results show that voters can move beyond caste and community considerations while exercising their democratic choice.

The Court noted that this reflects a positive shift in society and presents an opportunity for further social reform. It emphasized that the State government should now take active steps to eliminate caste-based thinking from people’s minds. According to the Court, Tamil Nadu can be said to have achieved “true change” only when casteism is completely eradicated from society.

The observations were made by Justice B. Pugalendhi while granting bail to a Sub-Inspector of Police accused of harbouring his son in an honour killing case.

The Court strongly criticized caste-based discrimination, observing that honour killings represent the most extreme manifestation of casteism and that caste divisions continue to fragment society. Referring to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Lata Singh, which described casteism as a curse on the nation, the Court noted that 59 honour killing cases had been reported in Tamil Nadu over the past decade.

It also observed that cases registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act are increasing instead of declining. The Court further remarked that the influence of casteism affects all sections of society and that no one, including judges, is completely immune from it. The Court noted that judicial decisions delivered solely on merit are often viewed through a caste lens, with caste-based motives frequently being attributed to such orders.

On the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly election results, the Court observed that the outcome demonstrated that voters can be persuaded to cast their votes without considering the caste or community of the candidates. The Court noted that the formation of the present government was largely made possible by neutralising caste-based considerations in the electoral process.

Emphasising that electoral success alone does not signify social progress, the Court stated that Tamil Nadu can claim to have achieved “true change” only when caste-based thinking is eradicated from the minds of people. It accordingly observed that the State government should take responsibility and initiative to eliminate casteism from society.

The Court further called for school-level reforms to change the mindset of the younger generation, noting that a government-appointed committee chaired by Justice K. Chandru (Retd.) had submitted recommendations to eradicate caste-based discrimination in schools, but those recommendations appeared not to have been fully implemented. A copy of the order was directed to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, signalling a clear expectation of administrative follow-through.

The observations were made while the Court was hearing a bail appeal filed by Saravanan, a Sub-Inspector of Police, in connection with an alleged honour killing in Tirunelveli. According to the prosecution, the deceased, Kavin, was in a relationship with the appellant’s daughter. It is alleged that the appellant lured Kavin to Tirunelveli in July 2025, after which his son, the principal accused, picked up the deceased on July 27, 2025. The son allegedly attacked Kavin with chilli powder and an aruval before murdering him near Ambal Hospital, causing 19 injuries.

The prosecution further alleged that immediately after the incident, the principal accused called the appellant, who instructed him to destroy his clothes, dispose of his mobile phone, and remove the number plate from his two-wheeler to conceal evidence. A chargesheet has since been filed for offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.

The appellant had been in judicial custody since August 11, 2025, and had spent nearly ten months in prison by the time the bail plea was considered. The State opposed the grant of bail, contending that the case involved an alleged honour killing and that the appellant, being a serving police officer, could influence or intimidate witnesses. Counsel for the de facto complainant also alleged that the appellant had abetted the offence and attempted to tamper with evidence.

However, the Court noted that the prosecution records did not show any telephonic communication between the appellant and his son before the murder, making it difficult to infer his active involvement in the commission of the offence. The Court observed that in an ordinary murder case, bail would normally have been granted at this stage and that continued incarceration would effectively amount to pre-trial punishment. Accordingly, the Court granted bail subject to strict conditions, including the execution of a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with two sureties, residing in Coimbatore, and mandatory appearance before the B2 R.S. Puram Police Station twice daily.

While acknowledging that the appellant could not be held solely responsible for the social evil of casteism, the Court held that he must bear moral responsibility for having raised his son with casteist values that ultimately found violent expression.

The Court also drew attention to the unifying example of soldiers drawn from every caste and community who serve and sacrifice at the nation’s borders without distinction and called upon every citizen to draw inspiration from that example in rejecting caste prejudice.

Mr. Ananth, Advocate, appeared for the appellant. Mr. D. Venkatesh, Government Counsel, appeared for the State. Mr. C.M. Arumugam, Advocate, appeared for the second respondent/de facto complainant.

Case: Saravanan v. The State of Tamil Nadu rep. by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, CBCID Tirunelveli District & Tamil Selvi (Crl.A(MD) No. 277 of 2026).

[Read Order]