Mob lynching: Goondas Act slapped on 3

The three have been identified as Siva (24) of Thambukottanparai, Manikandan (36) and Babu (54), both of Athimoor.

In the incident which took place in May, Rukmani of Old Pallavaram near Chennai was killed near Polur when she along with four others were on their way to the temple of her family deity.

While asking for directions at Thambukottanparai village, the victim had reportedly handed over chocolates, which locals suspected to be spiked, to children.

This resulted in a mob chasing her car and after overtaking the vehicle at Athimoor, damaged it and beat up the passengers, resulting in Rukmani being killed on the spot. FIRs were filed against 62 persons in this connection, while 44 of them were arrested and lodged in the Vellore prison. Following the incident, life in ten surrounding villages was affected for more than a month as many deserted their homes fearing arrest.