Man held 20 yrs after attack on mechanic in Chintadripet

The main accused in the case, Ramu alias P Ramalingam (42) of Pallikaranai, was secured on Tuesday and remanded in judicial custody on Wednesday. The other two accused in the case, Vijayakumar and Arokiyadoss, have already died.

The incident happened on October 9, 1999 when Ramalingam was 22 years old. “The complainant, Manikandan, a mechanic in Pudupet, went to attend a friend’s wedding on Ellis Road, where he found Ramalingam, Vijayakumar and Arokiyadoss, also mechanics and known to Manikandan, teasing women. When Manikandan confronted them, the trio felt humiliated and decided to attack Manikandan the same night. They attacked him near his shed and fled the spot,” said inspector Murugesan, who arrested Ramalingam after 20 years.

While the other two men eventually surrendered before the magistrate and died during trial, Ramalingam alone remained absconding till Tuesday. Even though the FIR did not have his full name and other important details, the inspector investigated the case thoroughly and traced Ramalingam to Pallikaranai.

The complainant, Manikandan, identified Ramalingam. He was arrested under Sections 341, 307 and 506 (ii) of IPC and was remanded in judicial custody.