Chennai: Four people have been arrested in connection with the murder of a film supporting actor in Tiruvottiyur. Pradeepraj (30) was from the West Mada Street area of Tiruvottiyur. He had been working on contract at Chennai Port. He also acted as a supporting actor in films.
His mother, Dillirani, had borrowed Rs. 9 lakh at interest from a person named Navaneetham from the Tiruvottiyur area. She had lent this money at interest to some people she knew, but since they did not repay it, Dillirani was unable to repay the loan she had taken from Navaneetham.
In this situation, Navaneetham allegedly threatened Dillirani, demanding excessive interest on the loan he had given. As a result, disputes have frequently arisen between the two sides. Meanwhile, Pradeepraj filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, alleging that Navaneetham had threatened him through henchmen.
In connection with this, the Tiruvottiyur police investigated. In this situation, Navaneetham filed a complaint at the Tiruvottiyur police station, alleging that Pradeepraj’s family had not repaid the loan they had taken from him and had issued death threats to him.
Following this, the police arrested Pradeepraj and his family members. The court granted them bail. Meanwhile, the night before last, Pradeepraj was hacked to death while he was riding a bike through West Mada Street in Tiruvottiyur.
In connection with this murder, Tiruvottiyur police arrested four people: Navaneeth’s son Naveen (32), and his associates Harikrishnan (21), Jafar (24), and Lokesh (27).
Background of the murder
It is said that Dillirani paid more interest than the loan she took from Navaneetham. However, Navaneetham allegedly did not return the documents that were taken as collateral for the loan. As a result, a dispute has arisen between the two sides.
Naveen, Harikrishnan, Lokesh, and Jafar, who were arrested
It was in this context that last Tuesday, Pradeepraj went with lawyers to the Thiruvottiyur police station and filed a complaint saying that the Navaneetham side might kill him. The very next day, the opposing side killed him.
Naveen's statement
In his statement to the police, the arrested Naveen said, “Near the place where my mother Navaneetham runs a tiffin shop, Pradeepraj and his friends used to place an idol of Lord Ganesha and worship it every year in connection with Vinayagar Chaturthi. Because of this, business at the shop was affected.
We already had enmity with them over this. This year, ahead of the Vinayagar Chaturthi festival, the police called both sides and spoke to them. At that time, Pradeepraj warned us that he would not leave us alone.
One of our relatives filed a complaint that he was smuggling ration rice. In addition, Pradeepraj’s mother had also been involved in disputes with us over money matters. Unable to bear the humiliation that took place in front of the police, we killed Pradeepraj,” it is said.
The murdered Pradeepraj had been the DMK booth agent for Ward 10. The arrested Narayanan, also known as Naveen, is the deputy organizer of the DMK Ward 10 youth wing.