History-sheeter hacked to death by gang in Erode highway; police open fire at suspects

John alias Chanakya
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A 35-year-old history-sheeter was hacked to death by an unidentified gang at Nasiyanur on the Salem-Coimbatore National Highway in Erode district on Wednesday (March 19, 2025).

The victim was identified as John alias Chanakya, a resident of SMC Colony in Kitchipalayam, Salem city. The incident took place at 11:30 a.m., when John and his wife Saranya were returning from Salem to Tiruppur in their car.

A gang that had been following them in two cars, rammed their vehicle and intercepted it at Nasiyanur. As John stopped the car, the gang attacked him with machetes, inflicting multiple injuries that resulted in his death on the spot. Saranya, who tried to intervene, sustained injuries in her hand and was admitted to a private hospital in the area.

Police opens fire at suspects

The incident caused panic among road users, and police regulated traffic on the highway. Erode Superintendent of Police G. Jawahar inspected the crime scene. Police said an eight-member gang was involved in the crime. When the police opened fire at the gang, four suspects sustained injuries and all of them were arrested. Four others escaped. The injured suspects are at Government Erode Medical College and Hospital at Perundurai and will be shifted to Coimbatore GH. The details of the accused are yet to be disclosed.

Police said John had several cases registered against him, including attempted murder, at various police stations in Salem district. Recently, the couple had moved to Periya Palayam in Tiruppur district, where John was running a finance company that provided vehicle loans. John had visited the Annadanapatti police station in Salem to sign routinely, as part of legal procedures and was returning to Tiruppur when the incident occurred.

Chithode police sent the body to the Government Erode Medical College and Hospital in Perundurai for post-mortem examination. Further investigation is ongoing.