Police in Kancheepuram district have arrested a suspect who was allegedly involved in the murder of a 29-year-old woman, near Kancheepuram.

Police sources said the victim has been identified as Ashwini, 29, who was working in a private company in Oragadam and staying alone at a house in Vellai Gate near Kancheepuram. Her husband Suresh was employed as a caretaker of a government guest house in Chengalpattu and visited her once a week. Their two children were staying with their grandparents in Vaiyavur, which is nearly 17 kms away.

On Wednesday night, two men, after having liquor from a Tasmac outlet in the vicinity, broke into Ashwini’s house to steal valuable, assuming that no one was in the house. Unexpectedly, they found her inside and attacked her with an iron rod as she resisted their attempt to enter the house. The duo pulled the woman who was critically injured to the kitchen and escaped.

On Thursday morning, when her family tried to contact her and Ashwini did not answer the calls, they realised something was amiss. Growing suspicious, her family rushed to the house and found her lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Ashwini’s family claim that the duo stole gold jewels that she had been wearing.

Ashwini was rushed to a government hospital where she was admitted for treatment. Ponnerikarai police registered a case and began an investigation. On Sunday evening, Ashwini succumbed to her injuries.

On Monday, her family and other residents staged a protest outside the station demanding swift action against the accused.
Police said they had arrested one of suspects, Tamilvanan, and were searching for the prime suspect. EOM