SC Woman Petitions for Rescue of Husband Allegedly Confined by In-Laws in Thoothukudi

A 27-year-old Scheduled Caste woman, Charumathi, filed a petition at the Thoothukudi Collectorate alleging that her husband, M. Marudhanayagam, was abducted and forcibly confined by his family. The couple, who married in March 2026, resides in Palayamkottai. Charumathi claims her husband was taken by his parents and relatives while voting in his native village and admitted to a de-addiction center against his will. She asserts he does not suffer from chronic alcoholism and fears the confinement is a pretext for caste-based violence or honor killing. Consequently, she has requested authorities to invoke the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act against his family and ensure his safe rescue. While a prior police complaint was lodged, Charumathi alleges she was prevented from speaking freely with her husband during a supervised visit. Conversely, police sources state that Marudhanayagam is receiving legitimate treatment for alcoholism and that Charumathi was permitted to interact with him, with the encounter recorded on video. The incident highlights tensions regarding inter-caste marriage dynamics and alleged misuse of rehabilitation facilities in the region.