Police in Peelamedu have arrested a 26-year-old man, S Mohammed Azath of Podanur, in connection with the murder of 56-year-old street dweller K Ranganathan near Thanneerpandal. The incident occurred on March 21.
According to officials, Azath and Ranganathan often received free meals offered by local private groups. On March 18, while having food together, an argument erupted after Azath drank water taken from Ranganathan. The dispute escalated when Ranganathan allegedly verbally abused Azath, creating lasting enmity.
On the night of March 21, Ranganathan was sleeping on a roadside in Greenview Telecom Colony near Thanneerpandal. A drunken Azath approached him and bludgeoned him to death with a stone. The suspect then stole Ranganathan’s mobile phone and cash before fleeing the scene.
A murder case was registered immediately, and a special police team was formed to apprehend the suspect. Azath was arrested near Codissia Grounds on Tuesday night, and the stolen mobile phone was recovered. He has been remanded to judicial custody.
