Prime suspect in murder of real estate businessman held in Delhi

Taramani Police in Chennai on Thursday arrested the prime suspect in the murder of a 57yearold real estate businessman in Velachery two weeks ago. Eight suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the murder.

V. Palanisamy, 57, who was doing real estate business in Ramanathapuram district and staying in Chennai, was hacked to death by a gang of men when he was walking along with his friend near Velachery Taluk Office Road junction on March 29 evening. The suspects, who came on twowheelers, fled the spot immediately.

The prime suspect has been identified as I. Sethupathi Pandian alias Uthirakumar, 35, of Nallukurichi in Ramanathapuram district. Police sources said Sethupathi Pandian and Palanisamy had a dispute over receiving commission on a real estate business transaction. Palanisamy was delaying settlement of the commission of ₹50 lakh to Sethupathi Pandian. After repeated requests by Sethupathi Pandian, Palanisamy agreed to give him ₹20 lakh, but failed to settle the remaining amount.

The sources said in the meantime, Sethupathi Pandian came to know that Palanisamy had been in discussion with a few rowdy elements in Madurai and surrounding areas to finish him off.

Deciding to murder Palanisamy ahead, Sethupathi Pandian brought his men from Madurai and sheltered them at his office in Ashok Nagar in Chennai. He also engaged his nephew to send money to the accomplices through digital wallet. Then they sent a real estate broker, Subbaiyan, to bring him to the scene of occurrence. Palanisamy who came to the spot was hacked to death by the hired criminals.

Seven suspects who were directly involved in the offence were arrested. Sethupathi Pandian was absconding. The police issued a lookout notice against him. The immigration authorities in Delhi airport detained Sethupathi Pandian and alerted the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Adyar. A special police team brought him to Chennai, and remanded in judicial custody.