Prime accused in Dalit youth's murder case surrenders

The prime accused in the Dalit youth Gokulraj murder case, Yuvaraj, today surrendered before the Crime Branch-CID officials here, police said.
On October 5, a local court in Namakkal had issued an arrest warrant against Yuvaraj, who has been on the run since the murder in June.
He had reportedly given an interview to a Tamil news channel on October 4, daring the police to nab him.
Yuvaraj had covered his face with a cap and helmet before entering the CB-CID office, where his supporters had gathered outside.
The body of Gokularaj was found on the railway track near Pallipalayam on June 24 and it had triggered protests from his family who had alleged it was an honour killing.

Love affair with a girl belonging to another caste was suspected to be the reason for his murder.

A total of 21 persons have been arrested in the case, of which three were granted bail recently.
On September 18, Tiruchengode DSP Vishnu Priya, who was investigating the case, allegedly committed suicide at her residence-cum-office complex.
Her father and one of her batchmates had levelled charges of harassment by her superiors in connection with a case related to Gokulraj's murder.
Police had rejected the charge.
The government subsequently transferred the probe of Gokulraj murder case and the DSP's suicide to the CB-CID.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had rejected the demand for CBI investigation from opposition parties and had asserted that the state Crime Branch-CID would handle the probe 'impartially'.
Meanwhile, 16 persons, suspected to be belonging to Dheeran Chinnamalai Gounder Peravai, were taken into preventive custody, police said.
A tight security cover was provided by the police around the CB-CID office area.