Coimbatore, Aug 13:
A 19-year-old engineering student from Kallakurichi was allegedly beaten to death by a group of college mates in Coimbatore on Monday, following allegations that he was involved in a mobile phone theft and extortion incident. Five students have been detained in connection with the death.
K. Amuthan, a student of Hindustan Engineering College, was allegedly assaulted with wooden logs and iron rods at a ground behind the college near Malumichampatti. He later returned to his room but developed severe breathing difficulties and died while undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.
According to the preliminary investigation, the incident followed an early-morning assault at a rented house in Poonga Nagar. Around 5.30 am on Monday, a group of masked youths allegedly entered the house where 18-year-old Elavarasan, a second-year civil engineering student, was staying with friends.
The attackers allegedly threatened the occupants with a knife, assaulted them and escaped after taking two mobile phones. During the incident, Elavarasan and his friends reportedly identified Amuthan as one of the attackers.
Elavarasan subsequently lodged a complaint with the Chettipalayam police, who registered a case.
Around 8.30 am, Amuthan and his friend Sriman, 19, were allegedly intercepted by a group of students near Malumichampatti. The students reportedly took them to a ground behind the college, where Amuthan was allegedly attacked with logs and iron rods.
Despite sustaining serious injuries, Amuthan managed to return to his room at around 10 am. At around 3 pm, he developed severe breathing difficulties and was rushed to a nearby hospital. He died while undergoing treatment.
Based on Sriman’s complaint, the Chettipalayam police registered a murder case. Five college students were detained on Tuesday and are being questioned. Police are also attempting to identify and trace others suspected to have been involved in the assault.
While the preliminary investigation indicates that Amuthan was allegedly attacked in retaliation for the earlier assault and mobile phone snatching incident, his father Kennedy has made a different allegation.
He claimed that his son had allegedly exposed the supply of ganja on the college hostel premises and that information provided by Amuthan was leaked, eventually resulting in the attack on him.
The family has demanded stringent action against everyone responsible for Amuthan’s death and has also sought action against the college management over the alleged leak of information.
Police are continuing their investigation into both the circumstances surrounding the initial mobile phone incident and the subsequent fatal assault.