Mysterious death of boy in Tirunelveli orphanage

Mysterious Death of 13-Year-Old Boy at Tirunelveli Orphanage Shakes Tamil Nadu

In a deeply disturbing incident near Panagudi in Tirunelveli district, a 13-year-old boy named Shermathurai, residing in a private orphanage in Vadakkankulam, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. The boy was a student of Class 7 at Concordia Government-Aided Higher Secondary School.

According to the orphanage administration, the incident occurred two days ago when the boy reportedly fell into a well inside the hostel premises while attempting to wash his school uniform. He was later recovered dead by the fire service personnel, leaving the community and family in shock.

Parents Allege Foul Play

The incident has taken a serious turn as the boy's parents, especially his grieving mother Ramalakshmi, allege that their son was murdered. They refused to accept the body, demanding a fair investigation and justice.

“My son never washes clothes near wells. I believe he was murdered. We’re not being shown the CCTV footage. We suspect the warden and some students,” said Ramalakshmi with tears, vowing to fight for justice.

The parents attempted to block the Thoothukudi main road near the mortuary, prompting police intervention. The protest created local tension, drawing media and political attention.

Police Investigation and Clarification

Police registered a suspicious death (Section 174 CrPC) case and began investigating. Officials claim that the post-mortem report indicates death due to drowning, and they are interrogating over 100 students currently staying at the orphanage.

In response to rumors that the police were attempting to negotiate financial compensation to suppress the issue, the Tirunelveli district police released a statement denying such claims, labeling them as false and misleading.

Call for Justice

The boy’s relatives have filed a formal complaint at the Tirunelveli Collectorate, seeking an impartial probe. Meanwhile, the general public, human rights groups, and child protection activists are closely watching how the state handles this sensitive case.

This tragic and mysterious death of a minor in a private orphanage underlines the urgent need for stronger monitoring of children’s homes, transparent investigations, and mental health support for orphaned or vulnerable children. The grieving family’s demand is clear: truth, justice, and accountability.