E-Paper
Prime suspect slits his throat as cops close in for arrest
CHENNAI: The prime suspect in the murder of an Infosys employee in Chennai attempted suicide as the police cornered him in his house late on Friday night.
CHENNAI: The prime suspect in the murder of an Infosys employee in Chennai attempted suicide as the police cornered him in his house late on Friday night.
Police tracked down 22-year-old Ramkumar to Tirunelveli, where he was arrested at around 10.40pm, following an exhaustive manhunt that lasted a week. As police closed in on him, Ramkumar slit his throat with a sharp object. He sustained severe injuries and was admitted to a government hospital. Upon his recovery, he will be transferred to Chennai, located about 650 kms away.
S Swathi, an Infosys employee, was attacked while waiting to board the local train at the Nungambakkam railway station on June 24. The suspect hacked her to death on the crowded platform and managed to escape, leading to a public outcry at the seemingly lax security at the station.
Police were led to Ramkumar based on CCTV footage at the station, which showed the suspect dressed in a blue checked shirt. The man’s image from the video was flashed across the state, while police personnel went from door-to-door in Chooleimedu, the area in which the victim lived.
An engineering graduate, Ramkumar was tracked to a rented house in the same area, and was found to have lived there for three months, sharing accommodation with another person who is missing.
In Ramkumar’s room, police found a checked shirt believed to be the same the suspect was wearing at the time of the crime.
The accused was then traced to Tirunelveli where his family — a brother and sister and his parents — live. It is also where Ramkumar studied engineering.
Police sources said during the initial round of questioning, Ramkumar admitted to killing Swathi. They also added that his family was being questioned in the matter.
Swathi’s parents, however, had no clue who Ramkumar was nor had they ever seen him.
