John alias Chanakya. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
In connection with the murder of Salem-based history-sheeter John alias Chanakya (35), near Nasiyanur on the Salem–Coimbatore National Highway three months ago, the district police filed a 1,000-page chargesheet before the Principal District Court in Erode on Wednesday (June 18, 2025).
John, a native of Kitchipalayam in Salem city, was married to Saranya (28), and the couple had a son and a daughter. They were residing in Thillai Nagar in Tiruppur district and were engaged in disbursing vehicle loans. In a narcotics-related case, John had been arrested earlier and was granted conditional bail by a Salem court, which required him to sign regularly at the Annathanapatti police station.
On March 19, after signing at the station, John was returning to Tiruppur by car with his wife. As they approached Mullampatti Pirivu at Nasiyanur on the highway, a car that tailed them rammed into their vehicle, forcing them to stop. A four-member gang then attacked John with machetes, inflicting multiple injuries that led to his death on the spot. Saranya, who attempted to intervene, also sustained injuries.
The police shot and arrested three accused — Satheesh, Boopalan, and Saravanan. Another accused, Karthikeyan alias Myna Karthi, was also arrested on the same day. In total, 14 people have been arrested in connection with the murder. So far, none of the accused has been granted bail while three were detained under the Goondas Act.
Police sources said the chargesheet was filed within 90 days of the crime while the accused were still in custody. The chargesheet names 102 witnesses and includes various pieces of evidence.
Published – June 19, 2025 05:42 pm IST
