Overview
- The boy, identified as Mugilan, was found dead at his paternal grandmother’s home in Melpatti village and police recovered the body for examination following the discovery on Sunday.
- Melpatti police have registered a suspicious-death case and sent the body to the Government District Headquarters Hospital in Gudiyatham for a post-mortem and further forensic tests.
- Relatives and villagers have alleged the death may involve occult practices or a human sacrifice because it occurred on Amavasya, but police say there is no evidence so far to support those claims.
- A senior officer told reporters that preliminary inquiries suggest the child may have been struck by his aunt, Revathi, though reports differ on whether she has been formally arrested or held for questioning.
- The investigation remains active and the post-mortem and forensic reports will be decisive for cause of death and any charges, while the case has heightened local tensions tied to recent family custody changes.