Subscribe
Follow TNM’s WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
A 19-year-old engineering student in Coimbatore was allegedly beaten to death by a group of his college mates on Monday, August 10, following allegations that he was involved in an extortion and mobile phone theft incident. Five students have been detained in connection with the death.
The deceased, K Amuthan, was a native of Kallakurichi district, studying at Hindustan Engineering College in Coimbatore.
According to reports, Amuthan had recently been suspended from the college hostel after allegedly assaulting a cook employed there. He was subsequently staying with friends in a rented room near Othakkalmandapam.
On Monday morning, around 5.30 am, a group of masked youths allegedly entered a rented house in Poonga Nagar, where Elavarasan, 18, a second-year civil engineering student at the same college, was staying with his friends. The group allegedly threatened the occupants with a knife, assaulted them and fled 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, following which a case was registered.
Around 8.30 am, Amuthan and his friend Sriman, 19, were allegedly intercepted by a group of students near Malmichampatti. The group reportedly identified Amuthan as one of those involved in the earlier incident and took the two students to a ground behind the college.
Amuthan was allegedly assaulted there with logs and iron rods. He managed to return to his room around 10 am. However, he developed severe breathing difficulties around 3 pm and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.
Based on Sriman's complaint, the Chettipalayam police registered a murder case. Five college students were detained on Tuesday for questioning, while efforts are underway to identify and trace others allegedly involved in the assault.
While the preliminary investigation has revealed that Amuthan was attacked in retaliation for the earlier assault and mobile phone snatching incident, Amuthan's father, Kennedy, alleges that the group attacked his son for allegedly exposing the supply of ganja in the hostel premises. He claims that information provided by his son was leaked, eventually leading to the attack.
Amuthan's family has demanded action against those responsible for his death as well as the college management over the alleged information leak.
