Madurai High Court Orders Investigation into Sivakasi Family Tragedy

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has ordered a CB-CID investigation into the deaths of five family members in Sivakasi, Virudhunagar district. The deceased include Lingam, 45, and his wife Palaniammal, 47, both teachers, their daughter Anandavalli, 27, their son Aditya, 14, and Anandavalli’s 2-month-old child, Sasthika.

According to the police, Lingam poisoned Aditya, Anandavalli, and Sasthika on May 22nd before he and Palaniammal committed suicide due to debt problems. Justice Pugalendhi directed the CB-CID to investigate, citing improper conduct of the trial.

The court heard bail petitions from three accused lenders – B Manivanan, S Murugan, and V Murugan – who were arrested for allegedly lending loans with high interest rates to the deceased. The petitioners’ lawyer claimed they did not harass the family. The state reported that six people have been charged in the case.

Earlier, the court noted that the police investigation was mechanical and questioned why only six people were charged when the deceased had filed a case against 33 people. The court dismissed the bail pleas.