CUDDALORE: A 22-year-old man was hacked to death near Chidambaram on Wednesday evening, allegedly by the husband of a woman he was in contact with, and five of his associates. The deceased was identified as Balaganesh (22) of Velakkudi village near Chidambaram.
According to police, Balaganesh was in contact with a woman named Aishwarya (19), also from Velakkudi, who had married S Vinothkumar (24) of Melamoongiladi village in Cuddalore district eight months ago. The couple was living together in Melamoongiladi.
“Balaganesh, who had earlier been arrested in several criminal cases including theft, was recently released on bail. He had been making derogatory remarks about Aishwarya,” police sources said.
On Sunday afternoon, Balaganesh allegedly visited Aishwarya’s residence in Melamoongiladi. “The family members spoke to him and sent him away,” police added.
Disturbed over the incident, Vinothkumar is said to have discussed the matter with his friends. “On Wednesday, Vinothkumar and five others went to Velakkudi and brought Balaganesh with them on the pretext of resolving the matter.
They consumed alcohol together before tying his hands and legs. The group then took him to the banks of a nearby canal, where they hacked his head, hands and legs with a sickle and slit his throat,” police said.
Chidambaram Taluk Police visited the scene and sent the body to Chidambaram Government Hospital for postmortem. Cuddalore District Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar and Chidambaram Sub-Division Deputy Superintendent of Police T Augustin Joshua Lamech also inspected the spot and held inquiries.
A case has been registered against Vinothkumar and five others. “Vinothkumar has been arrested and is being interrogated,” police added. Further probe is under way.