Woman’s body found in bag, Pudukai tense

Police stepped up security in the town to thwart any untoward incidents as relatives of the victim and the accused, both belonging to different castes, staged a series of protests.

Sources said, Kasthuri (19) of Kulamangalam near Keeramangalam, in Pudukkottai district was working in a medical shop at Alangudi. She had an affair with Nagaraj (25), a load van driver from Athiranviduthi near Mazhayur. They used to meet in various places along Alangudi Road.

According to the police, the lovers met on October 28 and reportedly had physical relationship. Kasthuri had suffered a cardiac arrest and lost consciousness. Though Nagaraj tried to revive her, his efforts went in vain as she had died.

Left with no option, Nagaraj stuffed the body in a gunny bag and proceeded to Thanjavur in a van. On the way, he disposed the body on a river bank at Mallipattinam. Later, he drove the van to Tiruchy and parked the vehicle at a spot, before leaving for Chennai.

Meanwhile, Kasthuri’s parents searched in various place, but could not find her anywhere. So, they lodged a complaint with the Alangudi police. Investigations revealed that both were in love and Kasthuri was last seen with Nagaraj before she went missing. Subsequently, the police contacted Nagaraj over the phone and inquired about her.

Nagaraj narrated the whole incident to the police. Acting on the leads given by Nagaraj, police rushed to Mallipattinam and recovered Kasthuri’s body. Later, the body was sent to Pudukkottai GH for autopsy.

Meanwhile, Nagaraj came to Pudukkottai and surrendered before the police. He was later arrested. Following this, parents, relatives and members of Kasthuri’s caste blocked Aranthangi-Pattukkottai Road demanding severe action against Nagaraj. As a result of the protest, traffic was affected on the stretch for three hours.

As news about Kasthuri’s family and community members abusing members of Nagaraj’s caste during the protest spread in the town, people belonging to Nagaraj’s caste also staged a counter protest. However, the police pacified both the groups.