The Bazaar police in Coimbatore arrested two men on Monday for the murder of a guest worker near Ukkadam in the city. The accused have been identified as A Bajith Khan, 30, an auto driver affiliated with the city police home guard team, and his friend R Prakash, 38, both residents of Karumbukadai. The victim, R Suraj, 22, was a guest worker from Midnapore, West Bengal, residing in Pullukadu housing unit and working at a local eatery.
According to police reports, the incident occurred around 10:30 pm on Sunday. Suraj was standing near the 16th block of Pullukadu housing unit, talking to his friend Raketh, 21, also from West Bengal. Bajith Khan allegedly drove a passenger auto rickshaw recklessly and collided with Suraj. When Suraj confronted him, an argument escalated, and Prakash joined in, verbally abusing them and demanding an apology.
Suraj’s refusal to apologize allegedly provoked Bajith, who punched him in the nose. Suraj sustained serious injuries and fell on the road. Raketh ran to inform Suraj’s family while onlookers rushed him to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday afternoon.
Police have registered a murder case against Bajith Khan and R Prakash. Both accused have been remanded to judicial custody as investigations continue.
