The Kattankulathur Panchayat Union councillor, Kumaravel, of the AIADMK, was hacked to death allegedly by a 10-member gang while he was going home after visiting a temple in Singaperumalkovil 20 km south of Chennai, on Tuesday.
The incident sent shock waves in the locality as the gang had chased Kumaravel alias Velu, 38, and killed him in public.
Kumaravel was elected as an Independent in the previous local bodies elections and later joined the ruling party.
Police said Kumaravel was returning from Sri Anjaneyar temple in Singaperumalkovil when he was killed. When he neared Reddykuppam Nethaji Road, an SUV intercepted his motorbike.
Armed men alighted from the SUV and advanced toward him menacingly. Kumaravel fled and even made a frantic attempt to enter a eye hospital nearby.
However, the gang pursued him and and hacked him to death. They then damaged Kumaravel’s motorbike and fled.
As news about the murder spread, shopkeepers downed shutters and an eerie silence descended upon the area.
Police suspect that a councillor of the locality is involved in the gruesome murder because of some enmity. Kumaravel had reportedly been recently let out on bail after he was arrested in connection with a murder case.
The police have launched a hunt for the culprits.