The Hindu : Front Page : Policeman murdered inside office; one arrested

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 11, 2005

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Policeman murdered inside office; one arrested

V.S. Palaniappan

The incident occurred when the cop prevented the escape bid by an accused

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore City Police have arrested Shanmugam (36), a resident of Pachapalayam near Perur, on charges of murdering a head constable inside the Video Piracy Cell office in Gandhipuram area on Friday night.

According to police, following a tip-off about circulation of pirated CDs of latest films, a police team from the Video Piracy Cell led by Sub-Inspector Annadurai and head constable Kaliappan picked up Shanmugam from Selvapuram area late on Friday.

On searching the residence of Shanmugam, the police seized about 300 pirated audio and video CDs and brought him to the office for questioning.

Since it was too late, the police decided to keep the accused in custody, so as to remand him on Saturday morning.

The Sub-Inspector left the office after posting Kaliappan to guard Shanmugam and locked the door from outside.

It is learnt that the accused tried to escape from custody, which was resisted by Kaliappan. In a bid to overpower Kaliappan, the accused is said to have beaten him up with an iron stool.

While Kaliappan bled to death, Shanmugam, who tried to escape from the place, found the doors locked.

Constable Velusamy, who came to relieve Kaliappan in the morning, was alerted by neighbours about screams from the locked premises.

Sensing something foul, Velusamy alerted Annadurai, who rushed to the office with more personnel. When they opened the door, they found Kaliappan lying dead.

Senior police officials led by Commissioner of Police Karan Singha and Deputy Commissioner (Crime), Vidya D. Kulkarni, visited the office and held enquiries. Forensic experts were also pressed into service.

Kattor police have registered a case against Shanmugam for trying to escape from custody and for murder.

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