History-sheeter hacked to death by rival gang at Moolakadai

A history-sheeter who bears the moniker ‘Muttai’ Gopi was hacked to death by a group in Moolakadai on Monday.

Police identified the victim as a resident of Chinna Mathur near Manali, who has three murder cases and few attempt to murder and robbery cases against him in police stations of north Chennai. He had been detained under the Goondas Act. Gopi was operating an autorickshaw in 2008 when he was first booked for a criminal offence. He got the name ‘Muttai’ as he was fond of boiled eggs since childhood.

On May 1, 2013, S. Saravanan, also known as Basha, a a 32-year-old resident of Ambedkar Street in Kodungaiyur, was hacked to death by a four-member gang led by Gopi in an industrial estate in Madhavaram, police said. Recently he submitted a representation to the Commissioner of Police requesting that he be not disturbed as he wished to lead a reformed life.

He was a local leader of the PMK and owned an autorickshaw. He was building a house at Gummaliamman Koil Street in Kodungaiyur.

Six-member gang

Accompanied by his aide Siva, he was going to Kodungaiyur from Chinna Mathur. On reaching Kamarajar Road at Moolaikadai, he stopped to chat with friends and read newspapers. A gang of six came up suddenly and a panic-stricken Gopi took to his heels. But the gang chased and attacked him with billhooks and knives, and hacked him to death. As terrified passers-by fled, the suspects escaped on bikes, police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pulianthoppe, C. Shyamala Devi and other officials inspected the spot. Police said investigation revealed that Gopi and Jebastian alias Jebas had previous enmity. Jebas could have hatched a conspiracy to kill Gopi. Jebas also has criminal cases against him and had also been detained under the Goondas Act. He came out on bail four days ago, police said. Police have detained four suspects.