In the midst of public outcry over a shocking incident where a Dalit woman was tortured under the custody of a DMK MLA's family, the Chennai Police have filed a case against DMK MLA's son and daughter-in-law in connection to the crime under several sections. As this incident has put DMK in setback, both the accused have reportedly absconded and the probe is on to apprehend them. 

DMK leader Karunanidhi is currently an MLA of the Pallavaram constituency in Chennai and his son Andro Mathivanan and his wife Marlina Ann have been living near Thiruvanmiyur in the outskirts of the city. The couple had employed a 18-year-old Dalit girl from Kallakurichi as their maid at their residence. The girl was employed with a salary of Rs 16,000 per month, however, it has been alleged that the Dalit girl went through a nightmare in the custody of DMK MLA's son. 

It has been reported that Andro and his wife Marlina had tortured and physically assaulted the Dalit maid and while she was receiving just Rs 5000 as the salary, this meagre pay was also denied for her since July 2023. The girl went to her home for the Pongal holidays and with severe wounds on her body, she went to a government hospital in Kallakurichi district to get treatment. 

During examining her health condition, the medical staff asked the girl how she received injures, following which she divulged that she was facing severe physical and verbal abuse from her employers - the DMK MLA's son and his wife. After recording her statement, the hospital authorities had informed the Kallakurichi police after which the shocking incident came to light. 

A woman police inspector from Neelankarai visited Kallakurichi after learning about the chilling crime that was committed under her jurisdiction. The victim told the police that she was beaten up, tortured, and verbally abused by DMK MLA's son and his wife. In a video that has now gone viral, the victim said, "I was repeatedly physically assaulted by the house owners Andro Mathivanan and Marlina of Green Meadows Apartment in Thiruvanmiyur." 

"After completing Class 12, I joined as a maid through an agent at the house. I was curbed from communicating with my family and denied medical attention when I suffered injuries following physical assaults", she added. She, however, said that though DMK MLA Karunanidhi visits the couple in the apartment, he had no role in the harassment. 

The victim further alleged that Andro and his wife had burnt her hands with cigarettes. "I would often get a slap on the face for failing to the smallest task properly. The beatings have become an ordeal daily", she alleged. She further said that she was beaten with slippers, broom, and mops, which caused brutal injuries on her body. Based on her complaint, the Neelankarai police have filed an FIR against Andro and his wife Marlina Ann. 

The case has been filed under the sections including SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act. Amidst earning a sharp outrage and amidst getting absconded, Andro's wife Marlina has released an audio clip in which she denied any wrongdoing. In her message to the victim, Marlina was heard saying 'what you have done is not right' and that it's inappropriate to bring her father-in-law, DMK MLA Karunanidhi into the case. 

The incident has also sparked political fury as several political leaders had condemned the crime and urged the police to take strict action against the accused. Thol Thirumavalavan MP, the chief of VCK party that's in the DMK alliance, has strongly reprimanded the incident and said that it has brought a shame to everyone who believes humanity and human rights. Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai said that the incident is very shocking and it has shown the arrogance of the DMK to attack a young woman.