CHENNAI: A 23-year-old man died after he was hacked by a group near Kelambakkam following a dispute over his relationship with a woman.Three people were arrested initially, while another suspect was arrested after the victim’s relatives staged a road blockade demanding action against those involved.Police identified the deceased as Praveen Kumar, son of Karunakaran of Chinnama Nagar in Thaiyur.Praveen worked at a private company.Around 10pm on August 16, he was speaking on his mobile phone near his house when a group of men arrived in a car and approached him under the pretext of seeking directions.Three of them got out and attacked him with sickles. He suffered fatal injuries to his head, arms and back.Residents rushed to the spot after hearing his cries and the attackers fled. Praveen was admitted to a private hospital in Kelambakkam.During the investigation, police found that he had been in a relationship with the daughter of TVK functionary Ezhumalai, 48, of Thaiyur. Police suspected that her parents and relatives opposed the relationship.Kelambakkam police initially registered a case of attempt to murder and arrested Ezhumalai, his relative Manikandan, 31, and Nandeesh, 19. They were remanded in judicial custody.Praveen died during treatment early Friday, five days after the attack. Police altered the case to murder.On Friday evening, his relatives and friends blocked Old Mahabalipuram Road at Thaiyur, demanding the arrest of the absconding suspects. Police dispersed the protesters using a mild lathicharge and later arrested Ezhumalai’s son, Gowtham, in connection with the murder.
