Police thwarts murder bid near Tiruvallur court, two of a gang held

CHENNAI: The Tiruvallur police foiled a murder attempt near the district court and arrested two persons and seized weapons from them on Friday (July 31).

The gang was led by former VCK functionary A Stephen Raj, who was arrested last year for the murder of his wife, S Gomathi, a councillor in Tirunindravur municipality.

The couple got married ten years ago and lived in Mettu Street in Tirunindravur's Periya Colony with their four sons.

What is the case of Gomathi and Stephen Raj?

Suspecting Gomathi of having an affair, Stephen Raj stabbed her to death near the Tirunindravur subway in July last year and surrendered to the police.

Police also arrested Stephen Raj's younger brother, A Ajith (25) and his friend, S Johnson alias Anthony Raj (25), for aiding the accused.

Cases against rowdy Joseph

Meanwhile, after securing bail in the murder case, Stephen Raj has been plotting to murder his wife's lover, Joseph.

On learning about Joseph's appearance at court on Friday, Stephen Raj assembled a gang and waited near the court complex.

Acting on a tip-off, police deployed special teams and intercepted an autorickshaw near the ICMR campus where the alleged assailants were waiting for Joseph.

While Stephen Raj and two others managed to escape, police arrested Ashok Kumar (45) and Prabhakaran (34), both from Tirunindravur. The police seized seven deadly weapons, including sickles, from the vehicle.