Gang hacks couple at Ice House, man battling for life, wife injured

The injured couple were identified as Saravanan (40), who runs a shop on the Marina beach, and his wife Vijayalakshmi (37), who is a swimming coach. The police suspect that Saravanan’s alleged affair with a woman could be the reason behind the attack.

According to the police, a five-member gang, led by one ‘Auto’ Raja of Mattan Kuppam, stormed into Saravanan’s house on VR Pillai Street at around 3.30 pm and hacked him, leaving him with grievous injuries on his head and hands. Both his palms were hanging from the wrist, besides cut injuries on his head. He was unconscious when admitted to the GH, said sources in the city police.

Though the target was the husband, Vijayalakshmi came under attack when she tried to stop the gang from attacking him. She too suffered injuries, including on her hands like Saravanan. “She identified Raja while giving statement to the police in the hospital,” an officer noted.

After preliminary inquiry, the police said that Saravanan runs a snacks shop on Marina beach. ‘Auto’ Raja also ran a shop there.

Police sources said that Saravanan was having an affair with a woman in Mattan Kuppam. “It looks like the attack was a result of the affair,” the police said, adding that they have registered an attempt to murder case and launched a hunt for the suspects.