Techie’s death: Accused’s family members also missing, say police

Jayagopal, an AIADMK functionary, was booked by the Pallikaranai police after an unauthorised banner placed on the road median, welcoming party leaders to a wedding in his family, fell on 23-year-old Subhasri who was riding along Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road, on September 12. This led to the woman losing control of the two-wheeler and came under the wheels of a tanker lorry.

While Jayagopal went absconding ever since the incident, sources said his family has also gone missing, with the house remaining locked for the past one week. A maid waters the plants every day, but claimed she was no aware as to where the family members were.

The Pallikaranai police had also included Jayagopal’s brother-in-law Meganathan in the case. Sources said Meganathan supplied the frames for installing the banners. After initially charging Jayagopal under Section 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others), the police added IPC section 308 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), a non-bailable section.

Police also formed two special teams to search for Jayagopal and Meganathan, but are yet to nab them even after 12 days. Meanwhile, the Pallikaranai police arrested the driver of the tanker lorry, Manoj Yadav (25) of Bihar and Corporation officials sealed the shop that printed the banners.

Subhasri from Chromepet was returning home on her two-wheeler when she died on September 12.