Cops suspect more murders by businessman

Jhansi Rani, wife of plastic trader Anbu Gnanadurai, was murdered by hired henchmen in her house in Korukkupet for gain by her brother-in-law. Gnanadurai, who learnt of the planned execution, killed his brother and was remanded. After coming out of jail, Gnanadurai along with his business partner, Ramachandran, executed two of the six-member gang in their plastic godown and dumped the bodies at Singaperumal Koil in Kancheepuram district.

The murders happened between 1995 and 1998, in which Gnanadurai killed Mariappan and Muthu, who were part of the hired gang, and another person, Murugan, blackmailing him about the murders. The cat was finally out of the bag with the businessman’s arrest three days ago (April 16).

A fall-out with his long-time friend and business partner, Ramachandran, led the police to learn about these murders. Ramachandran’s son Prakash approached the Korukkupet police station on April 11, claiming that his father was missing.

Cops who traced Ramachandran to a hideout in Kodungaiyur found out that he had gone into hiding to demand ransom from his estranged friend, blackmailing him about the murders.

Subsequently, Gnanadurai was taken into custody and both of them were interrogated separately, which led to their involvement in three murders, about two decades ago. “The whereabouts of four others, Lakshmanan, Arumugam, Raju and Murugan, who were also part of the hired gang, are unknown,” said an investigating officer.

Police fear that the businessman could have murdered the other four too. “We are going to seek custody of Gnanadurai and Ramachandran to probe further,” the officer added.

Investigations revealed that the duo had a fallout after Gnanadurai allegedly harassed a woman he married two years ago. His friend Ramachandran arranged the wedding and questioned Gnandurai about his treatment of the woman, which led to their parting ways. The woman is also now absconding, the police said.