Two arrested for murder of friend in Erode

Two persons were arrested by the police here on Monday in connection with the murder of a 23-year-old employee of a private company.

According to the police, a youth’s body was found floating along the riverbank near the bridge across River Cauvery on February 12 afternoon. Karungalpalayam police rushed to the spot and noticed an injury on the head of the deceased. A case of suspicious death was initially registered, and an investigation was launched to ascertain the identity of the victim.

The deceased was later identified as S. Mahendran, 23, of the Cauvery R.S. area in Namakkal district. He was employed in a private firm. Subsequent inquiries confirmed that he had been murdered.

On Sunday, Madanraj, 21, a labourer from Kumarappa Nagar in Alampalayam in Namakkal district, surrendered before the Erode District Superintendent of Police office along with his lawyer. Inquiries by Erode Town Deputy Superintendent of Police M. Muthukumaran revealed that Mahendran, Madanraj and Prabhu Ram had consumed alcohol near the railway gate area at Pudupalayam in Cauvery R.S.

A quarrel reportedly broke out after Madanraj asked Mahendran to buy liquor for him. In the ensuing altercation, Madanraj and Prabhu Ram allegedly attacked Mahendran with stones, resulting in his death. The accused then transported the body on a motorcycle and dumped it in the river at Karungalpalayam. The police have arrested both the accused.