Gangster killed by five inmates in Puzhal prison

Chennai: A 34-year-old gangster was castrated and brutally murdered inside the Central Prison in Puzhal by a group of five inmates on Wednesday morning. The deceased, 'Boxer' Murali of Vyasarbadi had various cases in 16 police stations, including of 3 murder and attempt to murder cases. He was detained in Puzhal prison on June 5 under the Goondas Act.

According to police, Murali was murdered by Saranraj, Ramesh, Karthik, Pradeep Kumar and Joel at around 9.30 am when he was walking towards the toilet after breakfast. "They surrounded him in the toilet and attacked him on his face and the neck with sharp weapons. When he collapsed on the floor, they also castrated him," police said.

The main accused Saranraj is said to be Murali's cousin. They had previous enmity as Saranraj had broken into Murali's house and attacked his mother and sisters.

"Hearing cries inside the toilet, other inmates alerted prison authorities. Officials rushed to the spot and gave him first aid in the prison hospital before rushing him to Stanley Government Hospital. He was declared brought dead,” police added.

Murali is said to have been close to gangster Kakkathope Balaji and was friendly with Saranraj as well until a family quarrel broke out between them. Police sources said that gangster Nagendran who had a previous enmity with Boxer Murali used the rivalry between the cousins to murder Murali. Pradeep Kumar alias Vasu, who is said to be one of the aides of Nagendran, persuaded Saranraj to murder Murali, sources added.

Boxer Murali was detained under the Goondas Act after he was arrested in connection with a robbery case in May.  Saranraj, Ramesh, Karthik, Pradeepkumar and Joel were detained under the Goondas Act in March this year.

ADGP (Prison) Ashutosh Shukla visited the prison and conducted preliminary investigations. Ponneri magistrate P.T. Satheesh Kumar also initiated a magisterial investigation and visited the prison on Wednesday evening.