Woman among 5 held for rowdy's murder

CHENNAI: A 60-year-old woman, who peddled marijuana and hooch, masterminded the murder of M Sakthivel of Basin Bridge, said the police on Saturday. "The woman, along with 4 others who executed the plot, have been arrested," said North Chennai joint commissioner of police SN Seshasai.
Sakthivel was chased through Narasimha Nagar Main Road in Pulianthope and hacked to death by a gang on September 13.
The police have identified the arrested as M Murugammal (60), P Madhu alias Madhavan (40), J Siva (22), R Nanda alias Ebe alias Ibrahim (20) and Pozhichalur M Kannan (30). Police seized two bikes, four sickles and mobile phones from them.
The joint commissioner reconstructed the murder for the media: "A few months ago, Murugammal and her gang attacked her rival in the trade, Ramani Bai. Sakthivel was Ramani's brother. Police arrested Murugammal and her gang and detained them under Goondas Act for the attack. After coming out of prison last month, she shifted base to Pozhichalur fearing an attack from Ramani and her brother."
Madhu ganged up with Murugammal after Sakthivel targeted his cable TV business in Pulianthope area, the officer said. They planned to eliminate the brother-sister duo.
"The prime accused Murugammal and Madhu remote-controlled the operation. Their men went along with the assailants Siva, Nanda and Kannan to help them identify Sakthivel". They identified the target and the left the scene, said the officer.
The arrested Murugammal had been into arrack selling business for the past two decades. She has 15 cases pending against her. The arrested five were remanded in judicial custody after being produced before a magistrate court in the city.