Man hacked to death while being escorted by police in TN

A gang of 13 people hacked an accused to death while he was being escorted to court by the police in broad daylight in Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu. The gang killed T Balasubramanian, 48, a Dalit organisation leader and a history sheeter, after attacking the police with chilli powder-mixed water.

A team of five policemen including a driver led by Thoothukudi armed police sub-inspector Veerabagu were escorting the victim in an SUV to the court. As their vehicle reached KTC Nagar in Palyamkottai, two vehicles, a sedan and a mini-truck, blocked the police vehicle, while another SUV



occupied by unidentified assailants intercepted the police vehicle.

Even before the policemen could realise what was happening, the gang sprayed chilli powder mixed water on their faces, knocked off the rifle carried by a policeman, dragged Balasubramanian out of the vehicle and hacked him with a sickle and fled the spot. The injured victim was taken to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital where he succumbed at around 12.30 pm on Friday.

Though identity of the attackers is yet to be ascertained, the police suspect caste feud to be the reason for the murder.