A 32-year-old man and his relative were arrested on Friday for the murder of his lover, whose body was dumped at Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district, police said.
Arrest and Identification
The Gobichettipalayam police identified the accused as Mahendran, a resident of Kavundapadi in Erode district, and his relative Sathish, 35, from Edappadi in Salem district. The duo were taken into custody following a detailed investigation.
Background of the Case
According to an investigation officer, Mahendran, who was married, had been in an illicit relationship with M Pushparani, a 43-year-old widow from Thasappan Street in Gobichettipalayam. Pushparani, a mother of two, worked at a banian company. She went missing on Wednesday, prompting her family to file a complaint. A missing person case was registered, and the police launched an investigation.
As part of the inquiry, the police examined the woman's call details and discovered that she frequently spoke to Mahendran, her colleague. Mahendran was picked up for questioning on Friday morning. During interrogation, he admitted to having an extramarital affair with Pushparani for the past three years.
Motive and Murder
Pushparani had been pressuring Mahendran to meet her at her house. When he refused, she threatened to expose their relationship to his wife. Fearing the consequences, Mahendran decided to kill her and sought help from Sathish.
On April 25, Sathish drove Mahendran and Pushparani in his car from Gobichettipalayam to Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district. There, the duo murdered her using a steel fencing mesh and dumped the body in an isolated area.
Legal Proceedings
Based on Mahendran's confessional statement, the Gobichettipalayam police arrested both men and produced them before a judicial magistrate. They were remanded in judicial custody and later lodged in prison.
