On July 28, 2025, human rights defender and advocate L. Muruganantham was brutally murdered near Thenmalar School, Dharapuram, in a premeditated attack allegedly orchestrated by his uncle, Dhandapani, with hired killers. Muruganantham had been fighting against illegal school constructions violating fire safety norms, a case pending before the Madras High Court. On the death anniversary of his father, who was similarly murdered in 1999, officials summoned him for a land survey, luring him into the fatal trap. Attackers emerged from a school bus, beheaded him, and grievously injured lawyer Ragawan. Allegations of collusion between officials, police, and school management have surfaced, with HRDA calling it a reprisal killing against a committed human rights defender. the Hon’ble Commission to take cognisance of the above case and urgently:

• Direct the Director General of Investigation of the NHRC to communicate with the IG (west) Tamil Nadu to report the progress made in the Criminal Investigation. and submit the report to NHRC within the period of two weeks.