Body of a Scheduled Caste man found inside well triggers suspicion

A body of a 23-year-old man belonging to the Scheduled Caste community was found inside a well near Tiruchi triggering suspicion about his death. The identity of the victim was established as M. Thiruvengadam — a native of Rettakurichi in Cuddalore district. His father is a Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) functionary.

Police sources said Thiruvengadam had been staying in a mansion near Tiruchi along with a few others and preparing for various competitive examinations for the past three years.  He left the mansion on January 7 and did not return. Efforts taken by his friends to find his whereabouts proved futile. The body of Thiruvengadam was found inside a farm well between Punganur and Nedumalai on Friday.

An alert was sounded to the police and fire fighters who retrieved the body which was sent to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital in Tiruchi for autopsy. Meanwhile, Thiruvengadam’s parents came to Tiruchi accompanied by some VCK cadre. 

The parents of Thiruvengadam suspected foul play in their son’s death. VCK MLA S.S. Balaji came to the hospital and held talks with the police. The sources said the Somarasampet police have registered a case under section 194 (3) (IV) of the BNSS. The autopsy was conducted on Sunday and the body was handed over to the parents.