CHENNAI: Four men, including a C-category history-sheeter, were arrested early on Thursday in connection with the murder of 29-year-old D Pradeep Raj, who was hacked to death in Thiruvottiyur on Wednesday night following a dispute over the repayment of a Rs 9.5 lakh loan, police said.
A day before the murder, the Thiruvottiyur police summoned Pradeep and Narayanan (alias Naveen) to the station and warned them against attacking each other. Police said Naveen is the DMK youth wing deputy organiser of Ward 10, while Pradeep was a booth agent of the same ward. Naveen is also the son of the woman who had allegedly lent Pradeep the money.
After leaving the station, Pradeep told the media that he feared for his life and alleged that the inspector had threatened to assault and kill him. When the TNIE sought a response, a senior police officer denied the allegation and said Pradeep had only been warned and let off.
The arrested suspects were identified as Naveen, his brother-in-law Lokesh, a C-category history-sheeter, Hari Krishnan, and Jabar. According to a senior police officer, Pradeep had borrowed Rs 9.5 lakh from Naveen’s mother over two years ago and allegedly failed to repay the amount despite repeated demands. This led to frequent clashes between the two sides.
The dispute escalated last month when Pradeep and his associates allegedly assaulted Naveen’s mother after she demanded repayment. She subsequently allegedly attempted to end her life. Following a complaint, Pradeep was arrested and remanded in judicial custody. He was later granted bail.
Police subsequently received information that both sides were mobilising associates for possible attacks. Tension also arose over Pradeep’s plans to install Vinayagar idols near Naveen’s eatery. As a precaution, Pradeep and Naveen were summoned to the police station on Tuesday and warned against indulging in violence.
A senior officer claimed that Pradeep threatened Naveen during the inquiry in the presence of the inspector. Police alleged that Naveen subsequently conspired with Lokesh and two employees of his eatery to kill Pradeep.
Around 8.30 pm on Wednesday, the gang allegedly waylaid Pradeep while he was riding his two-wheeler and hacked him with knives. Police rushed to the spot and shifted his body to Government Stanley Hospital for postmortem. A murder case was registered.
The four arrested men were being questioned and would be produced before a court for remand, police said. A probe is underway to trace others allegedly involved in the case.
Pradeep’s body was handed over to his family after the postmortem on Thursday. His final rites are expected to be held on Friday, police said.
