Ex-Mayor murder: 5 held, DMK functionary son involved

Almost a week after the Tirunelveli triple murder that shocked the entire State, police have arrested five persons including a DMK functionary’s son.

Police said the crime was not for for gain as investigation had hinted initially, but due to intra-party rivalry.

They said DMK women’s wing functionary Uma Maheshwari (65) who was Tirunelveli’s first Mayor, her husband Murugasankar (72) and domestic help Mari (50) were tortured to death for political gain.

The trio were found dead at their residence at Reddiarpatti-Melapalayam Road on 23 July. The assailants fled the spot with valuables to make it look like it was a crime for gain.

Subsequently, three special teams were formed and began investigations. The first few days of the inquiry hit a dead end as the CCTV visuals from the area were not yielding any clues. Police questioned 100 persons, including Uma’s nephew for possible leads.

However, what proved crucial was the presence of a Scorpio vehicle parked near the crime scene. Police also traced phone calls made around the time of the murder in the locality and found one suspicious number.

The puzzle was solved when the number belonged that of the vehicle owner. Police picked up Karthik alias Karthikeyan (39), son of DMK Adi Dravida wing deputy secretary Seeniammal.

Four mercenaries who were his accomplices were also arrested in connection with the murder. Police quizzed him at Palayamkottai defence ground.

Seenaiammal, police said cried foul over the arrest and claimed she did not know anything about the murders. There was enmity between Seeniammal and Uma in the past, it is said.

As per sources, Karthikeyan had paid Rs 50 lakh twice to Uma for a seat in the Sankarankovil constituency. As she failed to fulfil her promise and return the money, he decided to eliminate her, it is said. Sources say that the assailants spent over 30 minutes in the house.

Post mortem reports revealed that multiple injuries using sharp objects on the body of Uma showed signs of torture. Uma, despite being the first Mayor of Tirunelveli, had contested unsuccessfully from Sankarankovil Assembly seat. Murugasankar was a retired highways engineer, and the couple had three children.