Hours after birthday bash, constable shoots self to death

The deceased, K Manigandan, 26, a grade II police constable and part of the third battalion of the Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) headquarters in Kilpauk, shot himself in the head hours after he celebrated his birthday with friends by cutting a cake. The incident occurred around 5.50 a.m. He was alone and he died on the spot. His body was taken to the Kilpauk Medical College for autopsy.

The deafening sound of the shot alerted residents nearby, who in turn informed the police. One of the cops associated with the investigation said, “We are checking his phone records and social media messages to find out if there was any relationship issue.”

His parents G Kannan and K Radha are farmers from Pallipattu in Tiruvallur district. Manigandan completed his BSc computer science degree and was enlisted in November 2017. After training, he joined the TSP in July 2018.

One of the Manigandan’s kin said he was a nice person but quite reserved and very happy to join the uniformed service. The relative added that he hadn’t spoken to his parents since Pongal and he never discussed work with family.