Four Arrested After Man Beaten to Death Over Missing Phone Near Madambakkam Lake
A 31-year-old man was beaten to death and his body was dumped in the Madambakkam lake near Tambaram on Friday night following a violent dispute over a missing mobile phone. The Selaiyur police have arrested four men, including the victim's uncle, in connection with the murder.
The deceased victim was identified by the police as Sathish, who was also known as Sakthi, a 31-year-old resident of Kodungaiyur. The four arrested suspects have been identified as Gandhi, aged 47, who is Sakthi’s uncle; Arul Kumaran, aged 36; Gunasekaran, aged 40; and Balu, aged 47. All four suspects are from Sithalapakkam, a locality situated near Tambaram, and had been working as masons on well-digging projects in the Tambaram area.
According to the Selaiyur police, the incident occurred after the five men had completed their work digging a well in the Madambakkam area. After finishing the job, the group gathered near the Madambakkam lake on Friday evening to consume alcohol together.
While they were drinking, Arul Kumaran noticed that his mobile phone was missing. He suspected Sakthi of having stolen the phone, which triggered a heated argument between the men. The verbal dispute quickly escalated into a physical fight near the lakeside.
During the physical altercation, Gandhi allegedly punched Sakthi in the abdomen. The blow caused Sakthi to collapse, and he died on the spot. After realizing that Sakthi had died, the suspects allegedly dumped his body into the waters of the Madambakkam lake to conceal the crime.
Following the incident, the four suspects surrendered themselves before the Selaiyur police. Police personnel subsequently recovered Sakthi's body from the lake and transported it to the Tambaram Government Hospital, where an autopsy was scheduled to be conducted.
The Selaiyur police have registered a formal case regarding the incident. All four suspects have been remanded in custody as the police continue their investigation into the murder.
