TIRUNELVELI: In a gruesome incident, a 24-year-old unmarried pregnant woman was allegedly murdered by her 26-year-old lover on Sunday evening near Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli district.

The deceased was identified as Thangarevathi, 24, daughter of Balakrishnan of Moolaikaraipatti, near Nanguneri. Sivanthipatti police registered a case and arrested Madasamy, 26, son of Arumugam of Alangulam at Sivanthipatti near Palayamkottai in connection with the murder.

Police said that Thangarevathi was nine months pregnant at the time of the incident. Madasamy, her lover took her to Kallurani, a secluded place near MG Nagar near Palayamkottai, where he mercilessly attacked her using a sickle which he carried with him. Thangarevathi sustained multiple injuries and died on the spot. The murder took place in the evening when no one was around. Madasamy buried the body at the same place. Later, he surrendered to the police.

Police, who are conducting the investigation are yet to exhume the body. Although it is said that Thangarevathi was nine months pregnant, it would be confirmed only after autopsy, which would be conducted after recovering her body on Tuesday, police said.

Police said that Thangarevathi and Madasamy were in love for years together. Madasamy was a mason by profession, whereas Thangarevathi had completed 10th standard and was working in a textile showroom. Thangarevathi's family learnt about the love affair after she became pregnant. Both the families did not approve the love affair since they belonged to different castes. Thangarevathi came out from her house recently due to a dispute and was staying in a hostel near Sivanthipatti, police added.

Vijayendra Bidari, Superintendent of police, Tirunelveli district said, "Thangarevathi had asked him money to visit the hospital for a pregnancy-related complication. There was some problem over money between them. Madasamy with an intention to murder her took her to a secluded placed and committed the crime. Further details would be revealed during the due course of the investigation and after the body of Thangarevathi is exhumed," he said.

