Salem: A 14-year-old girl, Rajalakshmi, was beheaded by her neighbour Dinesh Kumar on Monday (October 22) evening in Thalavaipatti near Aathur in Salem district, Tamil Nadu. 

Dinesh Kumar (30) was living with his wife Saradha in Therkukkadu area of Thalavaipatti and worked as a machine operator in a nearby mill. Another couple living in the same residence, Samivelu and Chinnapponnu, had a 14-year-old daughter Rajalakshmi.

On Monday (October 22) evening, Rajalakshmi and Chinnapponnu were in their house stringing flowers together while Dinesh allegedly entered their house with a sickle. Seeing him with a weapon in his hand, Chinnapponnu sensed trouble and reportedly tried to block him from advancing further. 

According to reports, Dinesh allegedly pushed the mother aside and beheaded Rajalakshmi in front of her mother’s eyes. The suspect later picked up the head and threw it out of the house far away and went back to his home. The locals, after hearing Chinnapponnu’s wails, saw the headless body of her daughter and immediately alerted the police. 

The police secured the body and sent it for autopsy to the Aathur government hospital. According to reports, a senior police officer said that the motive behind the murder has not been confirmed yet.

Sources say that both families were friendly till the incident happened.