Murder of Kannagi and Murugesan

Murder of Kannagi and Murugesan took place in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kannagi and Murugesan were murdered in an honor killing as a Kannagi a Vanniyar had married Murugesan a Dalit an untouchable. The killing was done by Kannagi's relatives.

Background
Kannagi and Murugesan both hailed from the Puthukkooraippettai village in Cuddalore district ,Tamil Nadu. Kannagi had done her B.com and Murugesan was a chemical engineer .Kannagi came from the dominant Vanniyar community while Murugesan belonged to the Dalit community.Kannagi and Murugesan got married on May 5, 2003, against the wishes of Kannagi's parents.

Murder
Kannagi and Murugesan were forced to drink poison in full public view on June 7, 2003, by Kannagi's brother Maruthupandian and other relatives.Later the bodies was burnt. Madras High court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation on appeal from Murugesan's father  after the state police botched the case.

Court proceedings
Cuddalore special court sentenced Maruthupandian to death and sentenced  life imprisonment to 12 others including a serving inspector and a retired DSP. Later on appeal the Madras High court commuted the death sentence of Maruthupandian to life imprisonment and sentenced 9 others including Kannagi's father C Duraisamy.