Seven held for killing farmer in Ranipet over temple dispute

Seven persons were arrested by Kalavai police in Ranipet on Saturday in connection with the murder of a 60-year-old farmer over conducting regular puja at a recently consecrated temple in the area.

Police said the arrested persons were identified as K. Gnanamani (42), S. Baskar (38), B. Ravindran (20), G. Manirajan (20), V. Dinakaran (18), N. Selvamani (37) and S. Valarmathi (36). They are residents of Vembi village that comes under Kalavai panchayat union near Arcot town in Ranipet district.

Initial inquiry revealed that the victim S. Radhakrishnan, a farmer in Vembi village, went to attend a special puja at the newly built temple in the village. He was accompanied by his son R. Raja and daughter in-law R. Rekha and relatives.

During the puja at the temple, police said that a few devotees got into an altercation with Raja over the conduct of rituals at the temple. The suspects joined the devotees against Raja and his relatives in the temple. Both groups exchanged blows against each other.

Farmer Radhakrishnan was badly injured in the incident. He was rushed to Government Taluk Hospital in Kalavai town where doctors said he was brought dead. A case was registered. Arrested persons were lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. A probe is underway.