Four Arrested for Murder of 22-Year-Old Youth in Thaiyur Near Kelambakkam

The Kelambakkam police have arrested four persons on murder charges following the death of a 22-year-old youth who was attacked over his relationship with a woman in Thaiyur near Kelambakkam.

The victim, identified as K. Praveenkumar, a resident of Chinnama Nagar, worked at a private firm. According to police, he had been in a relationship with a woman from the same locality and community for the past three years. Her family opposed the relationship and had issued several warnings, but the couple continued seeing each other.

On the night of August 16, the woman’s father, brother, and others allegedly attacked Praveenkumar with knives. He sustained severe injuries to his head and hand and was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai for treatment. Police initially registered a case of attempt to murder.

Following the incident, the police arrested four persons on August 17: S. Ezhumalai, 43, the woman’s father; his 18-year-old son Gautham; R. Manikandan, 32; and M. Nandhees, 18. All four were remanded in judicial custody.

Praveenkumar succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the hospital on August 20. Following his death, investigators altered the case to murder and added murder charges against the four arrested accused. Police are searching for another suspect who is currently absconding.

Relatives of Praveenkumar staged a protest demanding justice. Police noted that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was not invoked in the case, as both the victim and the accused belong to the Scheduled Caste community. Further investigation is under way.