Stabbed policeman dies at hospital

After battling for his life since Friday afternoon following the stabbing incident, Thiyagarajan succumbed to his injury at Apollo Hospitals on Saturday

The police head constable who was undergoing treatment after being stabbed in the neck on Friday afternoon by a crime accused at the Ice House died at Apollo Hospitals early on Saturday.

Police sources said C. Thiyagarajan (48) of Kotturpuram police station passed away around 2.45 a.m. after doctors performed a complicated surgery last night.

The police head constable was battling for life after he was stabbed in the neck with a knife by a suspect at Chellammal Thottam in Ice House on Friday afternoon. He had gone to question the man, who had recently been released from prison, in connection with a burglary.

The attack took place around 2 p.m. at the crowded locality in Ice House when C. Thiyagarajan (48), attached to the crime section of Kotturpuram police station, went to question Vimal Raj alias ‘Psycho’ Vimal (20). He is a known offender involved in burglaries and assault cases. He was released from Puzhal prison on May 1. He had been arrested by Ice House police on various charges, including attempt to murder. Thiyagarajan was in mufti. “Thiyagarajan asked him some questions as part of an investigation into a burglary case reported in Kotturpuram police limits in which Vimal is suspected to be involved. This irked Vimal who stabbed Thiyagarajan as the latter prepared to leave on his motorcycle,” said a policeman attached to the Kotturpuram police station.

The constable was wounded on the left side of the neck and collapsed on the spot. Residents rushed to his aid while Vimal fled the spot with the murder weapon. Thiyagarajan was rushed to the Government Royapettah Hospital and suffered heavy blood loss. After receiving first-aid, he was shifted to the Apollo Hospitals on Greams Road around 5.30 p.m.

“There was no heart beat when he was brought in. Blood vessels going to the brain were damaged in the attack. He underwent a major surgery which got over at 9.30 p.m. and continues to be in an extremely critical state,” said a source at Apollo.

A native of Madurai, Thiyagarajan joined the police force in 1988 and served in various areas including city traffic and was posted to the Kotturpuram station three years ago. He resides with his wife, son and daughter at the TP Chatiram police quarters.

Ice House police arrested Vimal within hours of the attack and he is being questioned.