DMK Councillor arrested for auto driver’s murder

In a shocking turn of events, R Dhamodharan, a DMK councillor representing Ward 45 under Tambaram Corporation, was arrested on Saturday for his alleged involvement in the murder of an autorickshaw driver. The incident occurred on December 20, where the victim’s head was crushed with a stone. Dhamodharan’s son, Yogesh, and four others were also arrested in connection with the crime. The arrests were made by Padalam police, with the councillor and his son taken into custody on Saturday night. The remaining four accused—Stephen Raj, Praveen, Rajkumar, and Poongavanam—were apprehended during the early hours of Sunday based on information provided by Dhamodharan. The victim, identified as Kumar, a 40-year-old auto driver from Kolapakkam near Vandalur, was found dead with his head crushed on December 21. Investigations revealed that there had been a longstanding feud between Dhamodharan and Kumar. The councillor had reportedly suspected Kumar’s involvement in his wife’s suicide around five months ago. According to police officials, the councillor and the other accused kidnapped Kumar in a car and murdered him on December 20. Subsequently, they dumped his body near Padalam before fleeing the scene. The authorities were alerted when locals discovered the victim’s lifeless body. Dhamodharan, locally known as ‘Kodi’ Dhamodharam, has been elected as the councillor twice during Tambaram’s municipality days and is currently serving his third term. Apart from his political role, he runs a small-scale event management business and holds a position in the education committee of Tambaram Corporation. While Tambaram City police mentioned that Dhamodharan did not have criminal cases within their jurisdiction, Chengalpattu police indicated that he was previously booked in a case under section 435 of the IPC and the TN Property Act. @@@