Police have solved the murder case of a 45-year-old goatherd, Murugan, from Naganenthal village near Kariapatti. His 21-year-old son, Davamani, and an Instagram friend, Abu Bakr, have been arrested for the crime. The motive: Murugan disapproved of his son’s romantic relationship and online behavior.
Murugan went missing on April 29. His family initially assumed he was away buying goats. When he didn’t return after three days, concern grew. On May 2, a farmer in Mustakurichi discovered a sack floating in his well. Police recovered Murugan’s body, which had been stuffed inside.
Investigators initially considered disputes related to goat herding. However, suspicion soon turned to Davamani. Unlike other grieving relatives, he appeared emotionless. Police learned the father and son had frequent arguments, especially over Davamani’s disinterest in studies, use of Instagram, and a relationship with a local girl.
It was discovered that Davamani, frustrated with constant reprimands and caught stealing goats for personal use, plotted with his online friend Abu Bakr from Pudukottai. On the night of April 29, while Murugan was asleep at the goat pen, the duo beat him with a wooden log, killing him. They hid his body in a sack and dumped it in a nearby farm well.
Both were arrested by Aviyur police on Sunday and have been remanded in judicial custody.
