Murder suspect cheats ex-jailmate

Chennai: A man who gave Rs 1lakh to a former

jailmate

for getting him out on bail and on Sunday tried to

steal

his

car

for going back on the promise is now back in

jail

. Ezhumalai, who made the theft attempt after his ‘friend’ Kothandam refused to return the money collected, was caught by Kothandam’s neighbours and handed over to police.

Police said Kothandam, sent to

Puzhal

prison in connection with a murder, met Ezhumalai who was remanded after being arrested for a robbery. Just before his release on bail, Kothandam claimed to have close contacts with judicial officers and promised to get Ezhumalai out in a week.

A deal was struck and Ezhumalai’s relatives gave Kothandam, a resident of Thirumeni Tank Bund Road in Chengalpet, Rs 1 lakh. The man, however, did nothing and Ezhumalai remained in jail. After several months, Ezhumalai was recently granted bail. He went to Kothandam’s house, picked a fight and demanded the money he had collected. Kothandam, who initially tried to dodge the issue, later denied ever taking money from Ezhumalai.

Shocked, Ezhumalai devised a plan to get back his money. Early on Sunday, he sneaked into Kothandam’s house and stole his car key before stepping out. However, Kothandam woke up and spotted the man. He ran after Ezhumalai who had got into Kothandam’s car. Kothandam held the steering firmly and cried out. Some residents of the area rushed to the spot, pulled Ezhumalai out of the vehicle. They thrashed him before handing him over to the Chengalpet taluk police, who registered a case and arrested Ezhumalai. He was remanded in Puzhal prison after being produced before a magistrate’s court in Chengalpet.