A nine-month-pregnant Irular woman, 35-year-old Thenmozhi, and her newborn died on September 8 at a wood-cutting worksite in Kanchipuram. Her husband, Anandhan, alleges that their employer, Arumugam, prevented them from leaving to seek medical care because they had not yet repaid a ₹20,000 advance. Left alone in a tarpaulin shelter while in labour, the woman and her baby were found dead by her husband.
Anandhan reported that the family had been working at the site for six months without receiving wages beyond the initial advance. He further alleged that the employer had previously harassed him for taking leave to accompany his wife to medical check-ups and had dismissed the deaths as natural, reportedly suggesting that he could marry again.
Following the incident, local organizations including the CPI(M) and DYFI met with the Kanchipuram Superintendent of Police to demand action. Authorities have registered two cases, including one under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as activists call for the inclusion of charges related to the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.
