Namakkal Couple Apprehended for Brutal Murder of Nonagenarian
In a shocking development from Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district, police have arrested a married couple in connection with the brutal murder of a 90-year-old woman. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has sent ripples through the local community and highlights grave concerns about violence against the elderly.
Arrest Following Intensive Manhunt
Law enforcement officials took K Ramajayan, aged 42, and his wife Selvi, 38, into custody on Wednesday night from Palamadai. The arrest came after an extensive search operation triggered by the discovery of the victim's body on Tuesday morning. Both suspects are residents of the Thiruchengode area in Namakkal district.
The victim has been identified as Rathinammal, a nonagenarian living alone in Kali Velampalayam within the Thokkavadi Panchayat jurisdiction. The Tiruchengodu Rural police registered a formal case immediately upon finding her body and launched a comprehensive investigation that ultimately led to the couple's capture.
Fatal Argument Over Rental Agreement
Police investigation has revealed a tragic sequence of events beginning with Ramajayan's interest in renting Rathinammal's house. According to official statements, Ramajayan visited the elderly woman on Saturday and paid an advance of ₹500 toward the rental agreement.
The situation turned deadly on Monday evening around 8:30 PM when Ramajayan returned to the residence. "Investigations confirmed that Ramajayan was heavily intoxicated during this visit," explained a senior police officer involved in the case. "When Rathinammal saw his drunken state, she scolded him firmly and refused to proceed with renting her property."
What began as a verbal confrontation quickly escalated into fatal violence. During the heated argument, Ramajayan allegedly picked up a heavy grinding stone and struck Rathinammal directly in the face, causing injuries that proved immediately fatal. In a desperate attempt to conceal his crime, he then dragged the victim's body inside the house, wrapped it in a bedsheet, and concealed it beneath a bed.
Theft and Attempted Disposal of Stolen Goods
Before fleeing the crime scene, Ramajayan committed another criminal act by stealing jewelry from the deceased woman's body. "He removed a gold chain and a pair of studs that Rathinammal was wearing at the time of her death," the police officer detailed.
The suspect then contacted his wife Selvi, informing her that he had obtained gold jewelry and requesting her assistance in selling the items. The couple, accompanied by their son, traveled to Erode where they attempted to pledge the stolen ornaments at a jewelry shop.
Their plan encountered an unexpected obstacle when the jeweler examined the chain and declared it was not genuine gold. Undeterred, the couple proceeded to Palamadai where they successfully sold the gold studs, which weighed approximately 4 grams, for ₹26,000.
Legal Proceedings and Custody
Police apprehended the couple shortly after their jewelry transaction. They were transported to Tiruchengode for processing and formal charging. Ramajayan faces serious charges including murder and theft, while his wife Selvi has been charged with attempting to sell stolen property.
Both defendants appeared before the criminal magistrate court judge on Thursday morning. The court ordered their remand in custody at the Salem central prison, where they will remain as the judicial process continues.
This tragic case underscores the vulnerability of elderly individuals living alone and the devastating consequences that can result from disputes escalating into violence. The Namakkal police have emphasized their commitment to thorough investigation and prosecution in this disturbing homicide case.
