In a shocking incident, a Chennai-bound passenger of an omni bus was allegedly murdered by fellow passengers in Thoothukudi on Saturday night.
Superintendent of Police P. Mahendran said two men, who boarded the Chennai-bound bus from Tiruchendur along with the victim, B. Meera Thambi (38) of Appa Pillai Street, Kayalpattinam, were suspects in the murder. The duo, who were allegedly in an inebriated condition, paid ₹50 and purchased tickets to Thoothukudi and were seated behind Meera Thambi. Moments after the bus left Tiruchendur, a quarrel erupted between the two men and Meera Thambi. At one stage, one of them vomited on Meera Thambi. The bus stopped near Sahupuram to help him clean up.
The quarrel continued and went on for some minutes. Around 11.30 p.m., when the bus stopped near a passenger pick-up location on Balavinayagar Road in Thoothukudi, the victim alighted from the bus to attend nature’s call. The drunken duo followed Meera Thambi and stabbed him and fled.
Meera Thambi was admitted to Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead after 30 minutes. The body bore three major stab injuries and nine minor injuries. A CCTV footage seemed to have captured the incident. Since the accused did not book their tickets, their identities were not known, a police officer said.
A hunt is on to nab the accused. Based on a complaint lodged by V. Uthiramurthy (44), the bus driver from Koyambedu, Chennai, Thoothukudi Central police registered a case.
It was unfortunate that the bus conductor allowed the drunken men to board the omni bus for a mere pittance.