Man murdered in argument over missing phone in Tondiarpet

CHENNAI: A 24-year-old man, a history-sheeter, was murdered by his friends allegedly after an argument over victim stealing one of their mobile phones in Tondiarpet on Saturday night.

The deceased was identified as Punniyakodi.

Police investigations revealed that on Saturday night, Punniyakodi, along with two of his friends, Mahesh (36) and Vairamuthu (24) were consuming liquor below a flyover in the area after work. All three of them work as loadmen.

During their drinking session, Mahesh allegedly accused Punniyakodi of stealing his mobile phone, which led to an argument.

The verbal duel escalated into a brawl and Punniyakodi was beaten up by the duo. In the melee, the duo attacked Punniyakodi with a small rock, leaving him in a pool of blood and fled the scene.

Passerby noticed a man lying unconscious with injuries and alerted the police. On information, police took the injured man to the Government stanley hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

On Sunday morning, police arrested Mahesh and Vairamuthu at a corporation park near Tondiarpet. They were produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.

All three of them have criminal cases against them, police said.