A 50-year-old man, R. Srinivasan, was murdered, his body was found butchered and head severed at Kanmaipatti near Irrukkangudi in Virudhunagar district on Tuesday. The deceased is identified Dravida Munnetra Kazahgam (DMK) branch secretary, the police said.
Police said that Mr. Srinivasan and his friend, Mr. Marimuthu, were returning home after visiting Kurunthamadam near Aruppukottai. On their way back, a man hacked Srinivasan to death near Munisamy Temple along the Kanmaipatti tank.
Mr. Marimuthu had told the police that he fled the scene immediately. He has named the temple priest, who is also a relative to the deceased, as the assailant.
The priest was absconding, the police said.
The assailant had severed the head and placed it in the temple. Parts of both the legs and hands were chopped off.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police (Sattur), Arivanandam, and Inspector of Police (Irrukkangudi), V. Mariappan, are investigating the brutal murder and are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.
