A Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) driver was hacked to death by his neighbours at his house on Kailasa Mudali street in Tondiarpet on Monday. Seven men were arrested in connection with the murder.
Police officials said that D. Senthil (28), a driver on route no. 44C (Broadway to IOC) was returning to his home at the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSLB) quarters around 7 p.m. when he saw his neighbours N. Krishnan (35) and his brother N. Anthony (44) arguing with a motorcycle rider. They were demanding Rs. 3, 500 for the treatment of Krishnan’s five-year-old son who had been hit by the two-wheeler there. Senthil felt it was unfair that such a huge amount be sought from the man for the treatment of minor injuries and intervened in the argument. The motorcyclist ended up paying Rs. 2, 500 as compensation in addition to the medical expenses for the boy’s treatment.
Senthil also reprimanded his neighbours for allowing their children to play on the road and thus risk injury. Agitated over this and the reduction of the compensation amount due to Senthil’s intervention, Krishnan allegedly led a seven-member gang and hacked Senthil at his house on the second floor of the quarters around 2.30 a.m. on Monday.
A special police team led by deputy commissioner of police (Washermenpet) Najmal Hoda inspected the crime scene. The body of the victim was sent to Government Stanley Hospital for post-mortem examination. “A case of murder under section 302 of IPC has been filed. The other five suspects are friends of the main accused, Krishnan” said C. Pugalendi, inspector in-charge (Crime), Tondiarpet police.
In addition to Krishnan and Anthony, police arrested M. Seeni (27), M. Ellumalai (33), P. Balu (32), S. Ayyappan (28), and Udas (29). They were sent to the central prison in Puzhal.
