Railway union leader hacked to death

The duo, driver Baskar (32) and his friend Anand (35), surrendered at Vepery police station, and were handed over to ICF police. JK Puthiyavan (50), who was working in the technical division of the ICF, was hacked to death when he was alone at his home in Villivakkam. Police said Baskar had given Puthiyavan Rs 3.5 lakh to secure a job for his brother in the Railways. 

“When Puthiyavan failed to keep his promise, Baskar demanded the money back. But Puthiyavan refused, and even threatened to lodge a police complaint,” police said. Incensed by this, Baskar decided to murder Puthiyavan. 

At 9 am on Friday, when Puthiyavan was alone after his wife Ranjitha Mary, also working in ICF, and his two daughters left home, the men reached his residence on Chennai Pattai Salai on a bike. After entering the house, they locked the door from inside and hacked him. By the time neighbours responded to his cries, the duo had escaped. They had sprinkled chilli powder at the scene of crime and also took away the CCTV camera so that their identities were not revealed. 

However, the efforts were in vain after Puthiyavan told the neighbours who took him to the hospital that it was Baskar who attacked him. The alleged murderers have been remanded in judicial custody.