Gang hacks councillor to death inside church

A six-member gang chased Dhana alias Dhanasekharan, Padappai Panchayat 6th ward councillor, when he was talking to a friend just outside the church entrance. When Dhanasekharan ran inside the church where a number of devotees were present, the gang armed with machetes followed him inside and hacked him in full public view. While the congregation ran for safety, his wife and two children who had come to the church ahead of him, watched in disbelief as Dhanasekharan was brutally murdered. 

The incident took place at 11.15 am. A few members tried to intervene and stop the assailants, but the armed gang threatened to kill anyone who came forward. Police sources said the assailants, who were in their twenties were suspected to be part of a hired gang. 

Dhanasekharan who had suffered several cut injuries, died on the spot. The armed gang then escaped. 

The police team recovered the victim’s body and sent it to the Chromepet Medical College for postmortem. Kancheepuram police have formed special teams to nab the accused. Sources said Dhanasekharan owned several lorries and was also involved in sand business and police is probing the enemy angle. 

Moreover, Dhanasekharan was planning to contest the elections from the same ward from which he had won last time on a DMK ticket. Police have collected the mobile phone records of the victim to aid in the probe. When contacted, Sriperumbudur DSP Silambarasan said the investigation was underway and refused to divulge any detail at this juncture.

There have been many instances of daylight murders in the city this year. On June 7 private financier Parasmal Jain was hacked to death in full public view at Periamet. On June 24, young techie, Swathi was murdered in full public view at Nungambakkam railway station.