A gruesome killing inside a women’s hostel in Coimbatore on Sunday has shocked Tamil Nadu and reignited public anger over crimes targeting women. The victim, Sripriya, originally from Tirunelveli, had been living in the city after separating from her husband, S Balamurugan.

A Confrontation Turns Deadly

Police said Balamurugan went to meet his wife at the hostel on Sunday, carrying a sickle that he had hidden inside his clothes. Moments after the two began speaking in the hostel’s waiting area, an argument escalated. According to investigators, he pulled out the sickle and attacked her repeatedly, killing her on the spot as terrified hostel residents ran outside for help.

A police officer noted that “She left her children with her mother, and she had moved to the private women’s hostel and was working in a store.” Sripriya had earlier moved to her maternal home in Coimbatore with her two children following the separation, but later shifted to the hostel for work-related convenience.

Selfie Posted After the Murder

What horrified officers even more was what came next. Police said Balamurugan sat on a chair near her body after the killing and took a selfie with her lying on the floor. He then uploaded it as his WhatsApp status, captioning it with a claim that she had “betrayed” him. He stayed at the crime scene without attempting to flee and waited until police arrived.

Suspicions and Prior Disputes

Investigators believe the crime was rooted in long-standing marital disputes and that Balamurugan suspected Sripriya of being involved with another man, reportedly a relative of his. Officers said the couple had also argued over the phone earlier that day, after which he travelled to the hostel carrying the weapon.

Political Reactions and Law-and-Order Debate

The killing has reignited political clashes in Tamil Nadu. Opposition parties have seized on the incident to accuse the DMK government of failing to ensure women’s safety, citing what they claim is a rise in brutal attacks and sexual crimes. The ruling party and police have countered that these crimes stem from personal issues, insisting that authorities are acting quickly and seeking strict punishment in every case.

Investigation Continues

Rathinapuri police took Balamurugan into custody immediately and recovered the sickle. Sripriya’s body was sent to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for a postmortem examination, and further investigation is under way.