The Hindu : Front Page : Watchman murdered at K.K. Nagar

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Friday, Jul 18, 2008
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Watchman murdered at K.K. Nagar

S. Vijay Kumar

Fourth murder in the area in the last one month
Unprovoked and motiveless killing, say police

CHENNAI: The watchman of a commercial building was found dead with multiple injuries at K.K. Nagar here early on Thursday.

The partly charred body of 48-year-old Basha was found lying in a pool of blood. This is the fourth murder under similar circumstances in the Ashok Nagar and Vadapalani area in the last one month, the police said. Basha had joined duty as watchman only the previous evening. He was last seen by his supervisor at 10 p.m. But for the barking of some stray dogs, residents of the 18th avenue told investigators that they neither heard anything unusual nor saw any strangers in the vicinity.

It is suspected that the murderer might have scaled the compound wall to enter the premises as the main gate was locked. The body was shifted to the Royapettah Government Hospital for post-mortem, the police added.

“This is an unprovoked and motiveless murder…it is surprising. We are in the process of collecting evidence. There was smell of kerosene at the crime scene. As of now it is clueless,” Commissioner of Police, R. Sekar told The Hindu.

The police were trying to put together circumstantial evidence and forensic findings. “Night patrolling at Ashok Nagar and Vadapalani has been intensified. Surveillance has been stepped up at vantage points. Core teams have been deployed to thoroughly investigate the case. It has become a challenge now,” he said.

Asserting that there was no panic situation, he said the police would soon pin down the culprits. The possibility of murder for gain was ruled out as no loss of valuables was reported in any of the cases, Mr. Sekar said, adding that the involvement of a psycho killer was ruled out.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (T. Nagar) M.S. Muthusamy said flat owners in vulnerable areas were told to ensure that watchmen on night duty did not sleep. “Where it is possible, we have suggested that security guards of neighbouring flats be clubbed to work together as a safety measure,” he said.

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