Is he missing? Legal group raises questions about migrant worker Suraj’s whereabouts after he was thrashed brutally in Tamil Nadu: Here is what we know so far

On 27th December last year, a 20-year-old migrant worker from Odisha, identified as K Suraj, was brutally thrashed by a mob and subsequently hacked with sickles. The disturbing incident occurred in Tiruttani town of Tamil Nadu. A video of the incident later went viral on social media. The attackers were reportedly in an inebriated state and wanted to record Instagram reels. Following an argument with Suraj, they took him to an abandoned railway quarter and struck him repeatedly with sickles. The attackers were seen boasting about their crime and posing with victory symbols in the viral video. Suraj was seen bleeding profusely and was later hospitalised. Following social media upheaval, the DMK government went into a damage control mode. The cops were quick to rule out any ‘racial bias’, claiming that there was no proof that Suraj was hacked over his ‘North Indian identity.’ 4 teenagers were arrested, and three of them were sent to ‘a place of safety.’ One of the accused was sent with his parents. •

Jan 1, 2026 4

Is he missing? Legal group raises questions about migrant worker Suraj’s whereabouts after he was thrashed brutally in Tamil Nadu: Here is what we know so far

On 27th December last year, a 20-year-old migrant worker from Odisha, identified as K Suraj, was brutally thrashed by a mob and subsequently hacked with sickles. The disturbing incident occurred in Tiruttani town of Tamil Nadu. A video of the incident later went viral on social media.

The attackers were reportedly in an inebriated state and wanted to record Instagram reels. Following an argument with Suraj, they took him to an abandoned railway quarter and struck him repeatedly with sickles. The attackers were seen boasting about their crime and posing with victory symbols in the viral video. Suraj was seen bleeding profusely and was later hospitalised.

Following social media upheaval, the DMK government went into a damage control mode. The cops were quick to rule out any ‘racial bias’, claiming that there was no proof that Suraj was hacked over his ‘North Indian identity.’ 4 teenagers were arrested, and three of them were sent to ‘a place of safety.’ One of the accused was sent with his parents.