Suspect in Double Homicide in TN Captured After Police Encounter
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Synopsis
A suspect in the double murder of an elderly woman and her daughter was arrested in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi after a police encounter. The man attempted to flee and attacked officers before being subdued. The investigation revealed the victims were smothered and valuables were missing, prompting a significant police response.
Key Takeaways
- Muneeswaran arrested for double homicide.
- Police conducted aerial surveillance.
- Attempted escape led to an encounter.
- Victims were Seethalakshmi and Ramajayanthi.
- Investigation revealed missing gold jewelry.
Chennai, March 6 (NationPress) A man suspected of the brutal murders of an elderly woman and her daughter was apprehended in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi on Thursday following a brief confrontation with law enforcement. The tragic double homicide took place on March 3 in Melanambipuram near Ettayapuram. In the wake of the crime, the Ettayapuram police initiated an extensive manhunt, assembling nine specialized teams to locate the suspect, identified as Muneeswaran.
Acting on a tip-off, the police executed aerial surveillance with a drone and pinpointed his hideout in a secluded area.
Upon realizing the police had tracked him down, Muneeswaran attempted to escape. During the pursuit, he assaulted two officers, Sub-Inspector Muthuraj and Constable Joyson. In self-defense, the police fired at him, wounding his left knee.
He was later apprehended and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The victims, 70-year-old P. Seethalakshmi and her 48-year-old daughter V. Ramajayanthi, were discovered deceased inside their residence after neighbors raised alarms about their absence. They had not been seen since the prior evening.
Ramajayanthi, who had been living with her parents after separating from her husband a few years earlier, was coping with the recent loss of her father, Poovan.
The bodies were transported to the Tuticorin Government Medical College Hospital for autopsy.
Initial investigations indicated that the women were smothered, and their gold jewelry was missing.
Seethalakshmi’s mobile device was found discarded along the Melanambipuram-Kottur rural route. Forensic experts were summoned to gather evidence.
The Thoothukudi District Superintendent of Police, Albert John, visited the crime scene and spearheaded the investigation.
Four specialized teams were initially assembled to ascertain whether the deaths were a result of suicide, homicide for profit, or another motive.
The Tamil Nadu Police have a history of conducting encounter killings of hardened criminals.
Following the daylight murder of K. Armstrong, the state president of the Tamil Nadu BSP, the police have reportedly killed three gangsters in alleged encounters. Various political factions, including CPI(M), an ally of DMK, have vehemently condemned what they term extrajudicial killings executed by the Tamil Nadu Police.
