Panchayat president among two hacked to death in Madurai

The deceased have been identified as R. Krishnaraj (48), the panchayat president, and A. Kunju alias Munisamy (40), who is a pump operator, from Rajakoor, sources said. The bloodstained bodies bore multiple cut injuries and were taken to Government Hospital for postmortem. The motive behind the killings is yet to be ascertained.  Krishnaraj was the first time president, who won unopposed as an independent candidate from Kunnathur village panchayat.  

Munisamy used to accompany Krishnaraj everywhere and the duo often used to relax on a small hillock near Karuppayurani, where the heinous crime against the duo occurred.  Krishnaraj was away home since Sunday evening, sources said. The double murder triggered protests among relatives of the victims, who took to Varichiyur road, demanding immediate arrest of the accused, sources said.

Initially, some people, who noticed the dead bodies while taking a morning walk, alerted the Karuppayurani police. 

Madurai Superintendent of Police Sujit Kumar arrived at the scene of the crime, inspected the spot and held inquiries. The SP after inquiring said the police are yet to discover a clue behind the killings. Some people have claimed a political motive behind the murder of Krishnaraj. 

However, his family members gave some names of suspects and hence six men were picked up for interrogation. “Special teams have been formed to nab the accused soon,” the SP said. Based on a complaint lodged by Baskar, Karuppayurani police have filed a case under Section 302 (murder) of IPC.