Date:13/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031317350300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Two held for advocate's wife murder

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Nearly three years after the murder of an advocate's wife at Sholinghur in Vellore district, the Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) has arrested two persons.

Superintendent of Police, CB CID, K. Bhavaneeswari gave their names as Dharmaraj alias Dharman, 34, of Kodungaiyur here, but staying at Panapakkam in Arakkonam taluk, and Suresh of Panapakkam.

Santhi, 61, was found dead at her residence on April 23, 2004. Her `thali,' chain and bangles were taken away. On a complaint by her husband, K.S.B.Shanmugham, the Sholinghur police registered a case, which was transferred to the CB-CID in July 2004 on the orders of the Director-General of Police.

Ms. Bhavaneeswari said the investigation revealed that the duo attacked the woman and strangled her with a piece of cloth.Later, they removed her `thali' and chain and bangles, and escaped on a two-wheeler.

The property had been recovered.

Dharmaraj had undergone punishment in 34 cases registered by the Arakkonam, Nemili, Arcot, Kaveripattinam, Thiruvalangadu, Kadambathur, Vengal, Kavarapet, Puzhal, Madhavaram, Avadi, Sathangadu, Sholavaram and Kodungaiyur stations. Nine more cases were pending. Dharmaraj had been detained under the Goondas Act four times earlier.