College student killed for talking to girl

According to police, the deceased, K Muralidharan (20) from Kembatty Colony and studying third year in a private college had entered into an altercation with Balaji (24) from the same neighbourhood on Wednesday night.

Police said that, “He along with his two friends, Naveen Prabhu and Prakash were walking, when Balaji came on the way, in a two-wheeler. They stopped him and broke into a quarrel, which later snowballed into a fisticuff. Furious Bajaji took out a hidden knife and stabbed Muralidharan on his chest and sped away.”

Hearing his loud cries, the local public took a critically injured Muralidharan to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH); however, he was declared brought dead. On receiving information, the Big Bazaar police rushed to the spot and picked up Balaji from a hideout. Inquiries with him revealed that he along with some other youth recently assaulted Muralidharan and his friend, who was in love with a Class 11 student, for speaking to the girl.

“Since then Balaji and Muralidharan, both hailing from the same neighbourhood, had frequent altercations, whenever they see each other. Owing to their enmity, Balaji always took a knife with him while going out. When the trio made a violent encounter at night, he killed Muralidharan. His two friends were helpless as he threatened them too by brandishing the knife,” police added.

The accused was produced in court and lodged in Coimbatore Central Prison.