Six arrested for abducting woman over inter-caste marriage in Erode

Six people, including a woman’s parents and relatives, were arrested by the district police on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) night for allegedly abducting her after she got married to a man from another caste.

M. Vijay, 22, of Kokkarayanpettai in Namakkal district, and Archana, 20, got married on June 28 this year. The couple resided at EVR Street in Kallukadaimedu, Erode. As they belonged to different castes, their union was opposed by Archana’s parents.

Archana worked at a centre in Appanaickenpalayam, and Vijay used to drop her there daily on his two-wheeler.

On Tuesday, when the couple was travelling, a car intercepted their two-wheeler. Archana’s parents, Selvam and Kavitha, along with four of their relatives, abducted her and took her away in the car, according to the police. Vijay immediately lodged a complaint with the Erode South police.

A search was launched and their vehicle was found crossing the Varattupallam check-post in Anthiyur taluk before heading towards Karnataka via Bargur Hills. The police intercepted the car in Bargur and rescued Archana. All six accused were taken to the police station.

A case has been registered against Selvam, Kavitha, Palanisamy, Karumalaiyan, Shanmugan, and Yuvaraj. They were produced in the court and lodged in prison.