CHENNAI: A relationship forged on Instagram that turned toxic resulted in the murder of a 22-year-old man in Pallavaram on the eve of Pongal.
The victim, Selvakumar, a construction worker from Tirusulam, was allegedly lured to his death by two women he met on the platform. The police have arrested the prime accused, Reena (24), a married woman, and her friend Rakshitha (25), both from Old Pallavaram, along with a 17-year-old boy, and are hunting for three more associates, including a man named Alex (24), who is believed to have carried out the killing.
Investigations revealed that Reena and Rakshitha were addicted to the social media platform, cultivating connections with numerous young men, from whom they allegedly extracted money to fund a lavish lifestyle. Selvakumar initially connected with Reena and entered into a romantic relationship despite she being married. He later grew close to Rakshitha as well, eventually establishing sexual relationships with both.
The situation spiralled when Selvakumar, allegedly while intoxicated, began subjecting the women to severe sexual harassment and threats. He reportedly forbade them from contacting other men on Instagram. Feeling trapped, the women allegedly conspired to kill him. They enlisted four of their Instagram contacts, including the detained teenager and Alex.
On Wednesday night, Reena called Selvakumar, inviting him to Subham Nagar in Old Pallavaram. When he arrived and was speaking with the women, four accomplices arrived on two motorcycles. They chased Selvakumar down the road and hacked him to death with sickles before fleeing. Reena and Rakshitha then staged a performance for bystanders, claiming it to be an attack by robbers and even feigning to swoon in shock.
Selvakumar was rushed to a government hospital but succumbed to his injuries the next day.
However, the Pallavaram police grew suspicious and checked their phones, and uncovered their extensive Instagram network and found that this was a premeditated murder. During interrogation, the women allegedly confessed to the conspiracy. They are in custody along with the teenager, while a search is on for the three remaining assailants.