Siddha student found dead at house in Salem; stepfather ‘prime suspect’ in shocking case

Siddha student found dead at house in Salem; stepfather ‘prime suspect’ after police confirmed that he was the last person to meet the young woman before her death. The incident has sent shockwaves through the student community in Salem, with authorities intensifying efforts to trace the suspect and establish the exact circumstances surrounding the case.

The victim, identified as V Varshini, was 22 years old and a final-year student at a private Siddha medical college in Salem. She hailed from Tirunelveli district and had been staying in a rented house near the Salem Steel Plant along with other students pursuing medical studies. Her sudden death under mysterious circumstances has raised serious concerns and prompted a detailed investigation.

According to police officials, Varshini was alone in the house at the time of the incident as her roommates had left for their native places. On Wednesday, one of the roommates returned and found the house locked from the outside. After gaining entry, she discovered Varshini lying dead inside the room and immediately alerted the police.

The Steel Plant police rushed to the spot and registered a case. The body was later sent to the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital for a postmortem examination. Medical findings revealed that the cause of death was asphyxiation, further deepening the mystery surrounding the incident.

Siddha student found dead at house in Salem; stepfather ‘prime suspect’ after CCTV review

As part of the investigation, police teams examined CCTV footage from areas surrounding the rented house. The footage revealed that Varshini’s stepfather, Varadarajan, had visited the residence a day before her death. Investigators also found that he was the last known person to have met her.

Police sources stated that Varadarajan allegedly took Varshini’s mobile phone during his visit and went missing shortly after. His sudden disappearance, along with the CCTV evidence, led the police to name him as the prime suspect in the case. Multiple special teams have now been formed to trace his whereabouts.

Senior police officers said that efforts are underway to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the student’s death. Call records, digital evidence, and witness statements are being examined to understand what transpired during the final hours.

Background details add complexity to the investigation

Preliminary inquiries revealed that Varshini had completed her higher secondary education in Tirunelveli before joining the Siddha medical course in Salem. Sources indicated that her family had sent her away from her hometown due to objections over a personal relationship.

It is alleged that Varshini was in contact with a taekwondo instructor from Tirunelveli who is married and has two children. Police said the relationship was opposed by her family, leading to tensions at home. In December, Varshini reportedly visited Tirunelveli but did not meet her parents. Instead, she is said to have met the instructor, which later became a point of conflict.

Investigators believe that this issue may have played a role in the events that followed. Police confirmed that Varadarajan questioned Varshini about the relationship and later travelled to Salem to meet her. His visit is now a key focus of the investigation.

Police continue search as students demand clarity

With the prime suspect still absconding, Salem City police have intensified search operations across districts. Checkposts have been alerted, and teams are tracking possible locations based on technical inputs.

Meanwhile, fellow students and residents in the area expressed shock and grief over the incident. Many students called for a transparent and swift investigation to ensure justice for Varshini.

Officials assured that the case is being handled with utmost seriousness and that all angles, including personal, academic, and family-related issues, are being examined carefully. Also Read : Siddha student found dead under mysterious circumstances in Tamil Nadu

Conclusion

The death of the Siddha student has raised troubling questions and drawn attention to the pressures faced by young students living away from home. As police continue their investigation and search for the prime suspect, the case remains under close watch, with authorities promising a thorough and impartial probe.