Angel dies by suicide after alleged stalking; Antony Raj beaten to death, five arrested

NAGERCOIL: Five people have been arrested for allegedly murdering a 30-year-old man accused of harassing a 26-year-old woman who died by suicide in Kanyakumari district on Sunday. Angel, daughter of former serviceman Gnanaseelvan of Periyavilai in Kottaram, allegedly died by suicide after being unable to endure repeated harassment and threats from Antony Raj, 30, who lived in the same locality and had been pursuing her with romantic advances.

According to police, Angel’s relatives allegedly beat Antony Raj to death with sticks and stones on Sunday night. Those arrested are Ravi Selvam, 55; Yesu Nesa Selvan, 58; and Yesu Nesa Selvan’s sons Bebin, 25, Benish, 24, and Vineesh, 22. All five are residents of Periyavilai in Kottaram and relatives of Angel.

Harassment continued after release from jail

Angel had completed her MCom degree and was working at a private IT company in Nagercoil. Antony Raj allegedly harassed her regularly while she travelled to and from work. After repeated warnings failed to stop him, she lodged a complaint with Kanyakumari police.

Antony Raj was arrested in May and remanded in judicial custody. However, after being released from jail recently, he allegedly resumed harassing her.

On Sunday, Angel had lunch and went to her room to sleep. When she failed to open the door even by night, her relatives grew suspicious and broke it open, only to find her hanging inside.
Antony Raj arrived at the scene after learning of her death. Her relatives who were present allegedly attacked him with sticks and stones, killing him.

Five relatives arrested

District Superintendent of Police Anshul Nagar visited the scene and inspected the premises. The bodies were subsequently shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Asaripallam, Nagercoil, for inquest proceedings.
Following a complaint, Kanyakumari police registered a case and arrested the five accused. They are being questioned at the Anjugramam police station.
Heavy police security has been deployed in Kottaram, Anjugramam and at Asaripallam Hospital in connection with the incident. Police said Antony Raj was an accused in several other cases.