CHENNAI: In a serious lapse of security, a notorious history-sheeter was murdered in the high-security Central Prison in Puzhal on Wednesday.
Sources said ‘Welding’ Kumar (45), who had more than 20 cases, including murder and attempt to murder, against him, was attacked around 2.30 pm by a three-member gang comprising Raja, Anbu and Karmegam with iron rods.
He was also stabbed in the neck and stomach. Kumar was provided first aid at the prison and brought to Government General Hospital where he was declared dead.
Kumar gained notoriety when he was convicted for the murder of wine shop owner Radhakrishnan in 1985 and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1997.
He also got a 10 year-term for attempting to murder DMK Public Prosecutor Shanmughasundaram. Kumar was also convicted on the charge of attempting to murder former Information Minister V Mullaiventhan in Salem jail in 2001. He was behind the bars for the last 14 years.
According to sources, an attempt was made on Kumar’s life at the Vellore jail two months ago and, hence, he was shifted to Puzhal prison. He was to be freed in about a month. Sources said the murder was well planned. A clash inside the prison on Tuesday was engineered to execute it but did not succeed.
On Wednesday, soon after lunch, Raja, Anbu and Karmegam, all convicted on serious charges, followed Kumar and attacked him. The three men were arrested.
Police said the motive for the murder could have been revenge, as Kumar had a lot of enemies. They are also looking into the possible involvement of the John Pandian gang in the crime.
Kumar, a resident of Korukkupettai, is survived by his wife Shantha and two children Sushil Kumar and Divya and mother Bhakiyam.
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