Five persons, including the victim’s mother and brother, were arrested by Bhavani police on Sunday on charges of murdering a 30-year-old man and disposing of the body in River Cauvery.
On March 13, a decomposed, unidentified male body was discovered in the river near the barrage at Urachikottai in Bhavani. The body was found tied to a stone. The police sent it to Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The victim was identified as R. Mathiyalagan of Thottipalayam in Bhavani. Investigations revealed that Mathiyalagan was married to Krithiga, 24, of Tiruvallur Nagar. However, following a dispute, she had recently ended her life.
During inquiries, police questioned the victim’s mother, Sudha, 54. She confessed to being involved in the crime along with her another son Muruganandam, 28, Mathiyalagan’s friend Gowrishankar, 24, Krithiga’s brother Yogesh, 26, and their relative Sakthipandi, 32.
Police revealed that Mathiyalagan was an alcoholic and frequently quarrelled with Sudha and Muruganandam. Sudha informed Yogesh and Sakthipandi, who had a grudge against Mathiyalagan. The five suspects devised a plan, and on March 10, when Mathiyalagan was in an inebriated state, they hacked him to death at his house. They transported the body in a van, and dumped it in the river at the Jallikalmedu area.
The police seized a van and a two-wheeler used in the crime. All five individuals were arrested, produced in court at Bhavani, and subsequently lodged in prison.
Published – March 17, 2025 05:53 pm IST
