COIMBATORE -- A former driver of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and one of the main suspects in the murder of a security guard at a bungalow in nearby Kodanadu Estate frequented by her, was killed today in a road accident.
Another suspect and close friend of Kankaraj, Sayan alias Shyam, was seriously injured while his wife and child died in a road accident involving their two-wheeler and a car in Kerala's Thrissur district today, the police said.
Kanakaraj died after his two-wheeler hit a car early today at Athur in Salem district, they said.
Kanakaraj and Sayan were key suspects in the break-in and murder case, the police said, citing information provided by three persons taken into custody yesterday in connection with the incident.
The estate figures in the disproportionate assets case involving jailed AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala and Jayalalithaa, among others.
A security guard posted at the bungalow, frequently visited by Jayalalithaa, at nearby Kodanad estate was found dead on 24 April, while some documents were suspected to have been stolen from there.
While 40-year-old Om Bahadur was found dead, a seriously wounded Kishore is undergoing treatment.
Quoting villagers, the police had then said a 10-member gang in two vehicles was seen entering the area in the early hours.
Police suspected the motive of the gang could have been to steal valuables or documents, as one door of the bungalow was found broken open.
Resistance by the guards might have led to their being attacked causing the death of one of them, they said.
Police had earlier said one or two suitcases at the bungalow were found prised open, but it was not clear what they contained.
Sayan, a native of Coimbatore, was brought here and admitted to a hospital after the accident.
Judicial Magistrate S Senthil Kumar held inquiries with him at the hospital regarding the accident, the police said.
Tamil Nadu Farmers Protest In Delhi
(01 of17)
Open Image Modal (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(02 of17)
Open Image ModalTamil Nadu farmer pretending to eat grass during a protest at Jantar Mantar. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(03 of17)
Open Image ModalTamil Nadu farmer pretending to eat grass during a protest at Jantar Mantar. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(04 of17)
Open Image ModalFarmers from Tamil Nadu have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for almost four weeks now, demanding the waiver of their loans. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(05 of17)
Open Image ModalOver three lakh farmers have committed suicide in India since 1995. These suicides have largely been attributed to debt, drought, crop failure or poor returns. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
(06 of17)
Open Image ModalThe farmers have been using symbolic props such as ropes tied as noose, begging bowls during the protest. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(07 of17)
Open Image Modal (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(08 of17)
Open Image ModalMany of the farmers shaved half of their heads as a sign of protest. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(09 of17)
Open Image ModalThe skull they used during the protest reportedly symbolised the deaths of their fellow farmers who died apparently due to severe drought in the state. (credit:The India Today Group via Getty Images)
(10 of17)
Open Image ModalThey used ropes to 'hang' themselves in front of the national media. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(11 of17)
Open Image ModalMany of the farmers also performed their own symbolic 'cremations', reiterating the fact that if the situation in the state continued, they'd have no choice but to die. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(12 of17)
Open Image ModalThey even held live mice in their mouths to demonstrate that they will have to feed on them if the government fails to declare drought relief packages and waiver loans for the farmers in Tamil Nadu. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(13 of17)
Open Image Modal (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(14 of17)
Open Image ModalThe farmers even enacted eating a snake as a form of protest. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(15 of17)
Open Image Modal (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(16 of17)
Open Image Modal (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
(17 of17)
Open Image ModalOn 14 April, farmers were seen cross-dressed as women during a month long protest at Jantar Mantar. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)