Two transsexuals, auto driver detained for murdering man

Coimbatore: The city police detained an autorickshaw driver and

two transsexuals

on Thursday for murdering a 23-year-old youth over a money dispute at Thottipalayam here on Wednesday.

Police identified them as Michael Antony, 24, and transgenders Ragini and Venba, who killed S Sounder, 23, of Bhoopathy Street at Thottipalayam.

Michael, an autorickshaw driver, was staying in a house at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar at Thottipalayam with his family. He had befriended N Bhagyalakshmi, 45 and her son N Elangovan, 27, who were staying in another portion of the house. Michael had obtained Rs 38,100 from Bhagyalakshmi after pledging his autorickshaw a few months ago. He used to bring his two transgender friends to the house. Bhagyalakshmi and Elangovan did not like it and complained to the landlord, who asked Michael to vacate the property. Subsequently, he moved to another rented house at Cheran Maa Nagar.

Michael met Bhagyalakshmi on Wednesday morning and demanded the autorickshaw’s RC book. He allegedly gave her Rs 10,000. Bhagyalakshmi later contacted him over phone and told him that he had given her only Rs 9,000. When Michael got angry, she told him to visit her house to discuss the issue. She also informed Elangovan about the incident. Elangovan brought his relatives Sounder, R Arun, 28 and S Kirubakaran, 19, both from Thottipalayam to the house to confront Michael, who was accompanied by Ragini and Venba.

“Following a heated argument, Ragini hit Elangovan using a wooden log. When Sounder, Kirubakaran and Arun tried to stop her, Michael attacked them using a knife. Sounder suffered a deep injury on his chest and Elangovan suffered injuries on his hip. Arun suffered injuries on his eyes. When neighbours rushed to the spot, Michael and the two transgenders threatened them and managed to escape,” a police officer said.

Sounder was taken to a private hospital, where doctors declared him as brought dead. The Peelamedu (law & order) police registered a case under Section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 307 (attempt to murder) and 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

A police team led by inspector T Jothi is interrogating Michael, Ragini and Venba.


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