The police on Sunday announced the arrest of nine persons on the charge of murdering a 27-year-old woman in Maducarai on March 1.
The arrested included the husband of the victim. Their names were given as Raji alias Rajasekar, 29, the victim’s husband hailing from Sornavoor in Cuddalore district; Sugu alias Sugumaran, 34; Arul alias Arul Prakash, 26; Prabagaran alias Praba, 27; Gunaseelan, 24; Jegan, 27; Dhasarathan alias Dhasa alias Light House; Iyyappan, 27; and Ranjith alias Beedi, 26.
The murder was committed when the victim, Ganga, was walking home after buying a packet of milk. Kathir and Gunaseelan, who were riding a two-wheeler, allegedly slit her throat with a knife and fled the scene. The Nettapakkam police registered a case and started questioning Raji in connection with the murder.
Troubled marriage
Senior Superintendent of Police Apoorva Gupta said that the couple had a troubled marriage and Raji used to suspect the fidelity of his wife. This was the motive behind the murder. The accused contacted a few anti-social elements and allegedly engaged them to kill his wife. Raji had initially made a payment of ₹10,000 to the gang and promised to share the amount from a chit fund operated by him.
After committing the murder, the alleged killers planned a recreational trip to Tiruchi but the police arrested them based on a tip-off. Names of two of the accused were given as Sugu alias Sugumar and Arul Prakash who are allegedly involved in cases of murder, attempt to murder and theft.
Jagan is accused of being involved in a case of attempt to murder. The police are on the lookout for Kathir. All the nine arrested persons were produced before a local court and remanded in custody, Ms. Gupta said.