Woman, son killed by relative for demanding money back

The victims have been identified as Dhanapappu (52) and her son Sathyamurthy (33). They were residents of Venkatachalapuram near Lalgudi. The milkman found the bodies lying outside the house with severe head injuries on Wednesday morning. He informed the Kallakudi police, who rushed to the spot and sent the bodies for post mortem. It is said Dhanapappu’s husband Palanisamy was not at the house during the crime as he had gone out on a tour only two days back. 

The Kallakudi police have registered a case and commenced investigation. Early investigation revealed that Dhanapappu’s brother Ramasamy, who was also the Venkatachalapuram expanchayat chief, had borrowed upto Rs 10 lakh from Dhanapappu on various occasions. As Ramasamy committed suicide two years back, Dhanapappu asked his son Rajagopal (38) to return the money. 

On Tuesday, there was a heated argument between Dhanapappu and Rajagopal over the borrowed money. In anger, Rajagopal attacked the duo with an iron rod. Both died on the spot. Thereafter, Rajagopal dragged the bodies outside the house and drove a tractor over it to hoodwink the police. Police said Rajagopal wanted to give the impression that the mother and son were killed in an accident. 

Rajagopal, who had escaped from the crime scene, was later arrested by the police.