Electrician Caught in Chopped Body Case

Velmurugan kills Vijayakumar in a lodge in city to snatch Rs 1L from him; dumps dismembered parts in a canal in Cuddalore

CHENNAI: The Chennai police have arrested an electrician for allegedly murdering a private ATM security supervisor whose severed body was found in a canal in Cuddalore.

Police said Velmurugan (30), an electrician, murdered Venkat Rao alias Vijayakumar (30) to snatch `1 lakh that the victim paid to secure a government job.

Velmurugan’s father Govindhan, who works as an ATM security guard, introduced his son to Vijayakumar and told him that Vijayakumar was looking for a government job. Velmurugan promised a government job and asked Vijayakumar to pay `1 lakh. Vijayakumar informed this to his father Ethirajalu, a retired railway employee, and mother Chellammal. On December 12, he took money from his mother and told her that he would return after paying it.

Velmurugan informed Vijayakumar to come to Malliga Lodge in Chintadripet to meet some government officials and hand over the money to them in person.

Vijayakumar spoke to his mother around 10.30 pm on that day and told her that he would come home in a little while. Though the family did not hear from Vijayakumar thereafter, they did not doubt much as it was usual for him to return during the wee hours after his night rounds to check the ATM guards.

Later, the family lodged a complaint with the Pulianthope Police who registered a man missing complaint. After his body was recovered in Cuddalore, the Pulianthope Police traced the suspect with the help of the mobile phone tower details and secured him from his residence.

Velmurugan reportedly confessed to the cops that he committed the murder to get the money as he was in dire need due to mounting debts. He was remanded in judicial custody.

The case is likely to be transferred to Chintadripet Police Station which has jurisdiction over the lodge where the murder took place.

According to officials investigating the case, Velmurugan booked the room with the clear intention to rob and kill Vijayakumar, as he reportedly came prepared with knives, an iron rod, hacksaw blades and suitcases.

Velmurugan checked into the lodge at 7.30 pm on December 12. He received Vijayakumar at 9 pm. The duo did not come out of the room, according to CCTV footage at the lodge.

Vijayakumar was made to wait claiming that the government official will join them shortly.

As he dozed off around 10.30 pm, Velmurugan dealt a severe blow with an iron rod due to which Vijayakumar collapsed and fell down unconscious. Velmurugan dragged Vijayakumar to the washroom where he drained the blood from the body and severed the head first.

Later, he chopped all the limbs, lower torso and upper torso. He then packed the body parts in three suitcases after washing them thoroughly with detergent. There was not even a drop of blood present in the hotel since he had washed the room as well. However, a little blood spilled on the pillow covers. He removed the pillow covers and stuffed it one of the suitcases.

According to police, Velmurugan slept through the night and vacated the room around 1 pm. He flagged an auto to the Airport pretending as if he was in a hurry to catch a flight. After reaching Meenambakkam, Velmurugan hired an SUV to Pasikulam, his hometown, in Cuddalore where he dumped all three suitcases in a canal and returned to his residence here in Ambattur.

During interrogation, Velmurugan claimed he was in dire need due to mounting debts and so he decided to kill Vijayakumar and snatch `1 lakh from him.

Velmurugan has been remanded in judicial custody. The case is likely to be transferred to Chintadripet Police Station which has jurisdiction over the lodge where the murder took place.

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The New Indian Express
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