Gang rivalry: Reformed criminal hacked to death in front of wife

'Muttai' Gopi (37), once a criminal with more than 40 cases, including murders, against him, was hacked to death by a six-member gang around 7 am on Monday. He was drinking tea with his wife, Anbukkarasi (32), at a coconut godown on Kamarajar Salai when the gang reached there with machetes and sickles.

Realising that his life was in danger, Gopi tried to flee from the spot. But the gang chased and hacked him multiple times, inflicting injuries on his head, face and hands. They confirmed that Gopi was dead before escaping from the scene. Following information about the murder, Kodungaiyur police rushed to the spot and sent his body to Stanley Hospital for post-mortem examination. Gopi has two children, and had recently bought a new auto-rickshaw that he had let out on lease. 

According to police, the preliminary investigations revealed that another history-sheeter Sebastian and gang could be behind the murder, and have launched a hunt for them.

Police said that the two criminals were engaged in an ongoing rivalry after Gopi attacked Sebastian's friend four years ago. After Sebastian's friend committed suicide over a year ago, he had decided to murder Gopi. According to police sources, they had anticipated attacks between the two gangs, and have been picking up either of the two to prevent any clash. But both were out of the confines of the prison in the past few months, giving Sebastian an opportunity to plan and execute Gopi’s murder, added sources. 

In the first week of January, Gopi had submitted a petition at the City Police Commissionerate claiming to have been leading a reformed life. He said he was driving an auto-rickshaw for a living, and had alleged that police officers were harassing him for offences he had no connection with. 

A resident of Gummaliamman Koil Street in Kodungaiyur, Gopi had about 40 criminal cases against him, including four murders, and had been detained 11 times under the Goondas Act. He is the main accused in the murder of Saravanan alias Basha at Madhavaram, suspecting him of informing the police about his whereabouts.