After two years in prison, Rowdy murders a merchant in Chennai

A gang in Chengalpattu on Friday night killed the 44-year-old proprietor of a medical store after she reported a history-sheeter seeking a “weekly bribe” to the police two years ago. On Saturday, merchants’ association members halted traffic in protest, calling for the guilty parties to face consequences.

Vinoth Kumar, a 44-year-old Thoothukudi resident, operated a medical store on the major Vandalur – Otteri route, according to the police. Mannivakkam was his place of residence, along with his spouse and two kids. After shutting his store on Friday night, Vinoth Kumar rode up to a bakery. Vinoth Kumar was being followed by four individuals who waylaid him, killed him with a knife, and ran away.

Following an inquiry, police said that two years before, Vinoth Kumar had been harassed and assaulted by a history-sheeter called Silambarasan who was demanding a “weekly bribe.” Kumar protested to the police and took a cell phone video of the event. After being arrested and placed under judicial custody, Silambarasan, who was facing many charges and was being held at Cuddalore jail under the Goondas Act, was freed. He was freed from jail two weeks ago.

For the last two weeks, men associated with Silambarasan had been persistently pressuring Vinoth Kumar to abandon the case. Vinoth Kumar refused to move, so the group decided to have him killed. In an effort to take legal action against the offenders, merchants’ association members on Saturday obstructed traffic along the Chennai–Tiruchy National Highway.

“Vinoth Kumar had reported the threats to the police, but they disregarded the matter. One of the demonstrators said, “We demand immediate action against those personnel and the culprits.” According to the police, special teams have been assembled to find the defendants.