Crime News

Oddanchatram Police in Dindigul district reported a breakthrough in a house break-in case registered after an incident on April 8, 2026. The case began with a complaint from Kalimuthu, a retired TANGEDCO employee, who told police that his house had been burgled while he and his family were away. When the family returned, they reportedly found the door forced open and discovered that gold jewellery, silver articles, ₹1 lakh in cash, and a car parked at the residence were missing. Police registered a case and formed special teams to investigate. Officers examined CCTV footage from the surrounding areas, which helped them identify suspects with links to Othakadai in Madurai. Investigators subsequently learned that some of the suspects were already lodged in Madurai Central Prison in connection with another serious criminal case. Police then obtained the necessary court permission to take them into custody for questioning in the Oddanchatram burglary investigation. According to the police account reported on July 4, 2026, the investigation led to the recovery of approximately 38 sovereigns of gold jewellery. Police also recovered the complainant’s car, while the initial report stated that a two-wheeler was also seized during the operation. Authorities said efforts were continuing to trace the remaining stolen property, including other valuables reported missing from the house. The report identified three of the accused as Periasami, 25, his brother Sakti Murugan, 20, and Arul Murugan, 20. Police also questioned Sangeetha, Periasami’s wife, who was already in prison. Investigators alleged that some of the stolen jewellery had been handed to an intermediary in exchange for money. Police further stated that members of the group had previous criminal cases registered in other districts. These remain police allegations unless established through the judicial process. Dindigul Superintendent of Police S. Jeyakumar commended the investigating team for tracing the suspects and recovering a significant portion of the stolen property. The Dindigul district administration currently lists S. Jeyakumar as the district Superintendent of Police. The case highlights the role of CCTV surveillance, coordinated investigation, and inter-district police work in tracing suspects and recovering stolen property. Further investigation was reported to be underway to locate the remaining items and establish the full circumstances of the burglary.

A 24-year-old man was arrested in Dindigul district for allegedly killing his wife’s former partner and disposing of the body in a garbage yard near Thalakadai Pirivu in Natham taluk. Police recovered the body in the early hours of June 16, 2026, and began further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. According to police sources cited by The New Indian Express, the arrested man was identified as M. Veeramani, 24, of Thalakadai in Sirumalai. Police said his wife, V. Nagalakshmi, 23, had previously been in a relationship with S. Aravindan, 25. Investigators said Veeramani had objected to that earlier relationship and had allegedly warned Aravindan to stay away. Police allege that on the evening of June 14, Veeramani used his wife’s mobile phone to send Aravindan a message asking him to come to an isolated location near a forest area. When Aravindan arrived, police say a confrontation followed and Veeramani allegedly attacked him, resulting in his death. The body was then allegedly taken to and left at a garbage yard near Thalakadai Pirivu. Investigators subsequently traced and arrested Veeramani. Police said he allegedly confessed during their investigation, while the victim’s body was sent to Dindigul Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination. Authorities said the investigation was continuing. The arrest and allegations described above are based on police information reported at the time. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until guilt is established by a court.

Police investigating the alleged gang rape of a 35-year-old woman with speech and hearing impairments in Pudukkottai district arrested the second accused, A. Sekar, 55, on May 19, 2026. Police said Sekar, who had been absconding after the incident, was traced and arrested in Dindigul by special teams formed to locate him. According to police, the incident occurred near Alangudi/Karambakudi in Pudukkottai district when the woman was returning home after work. Investigators allege that two men approached her in a car, took her to a secluded location and sexually assaulted her before leaving the area. Local residents later came to her assistance and informed the authorities. The suspects were identified as S. Marimuthu, 55, and A. Sekar, 55, both from the Manakkollai area near Karambakudi. Marimuthu was arrested first, while four special police teams were formed to locate Sekar. Following his arrest in Dindigul, both accused were remanded in judicial custody. Police registered the case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with alleged sexual assault and abduction, along with provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The survivor was admitted to a government hospital for medical treatment and support. The survivor’s family also raised concerns about the medical care she initially received following the incident. Authorities continued investigating the allegations and circumstances surrounding the case. The two arrested men remain accused unless and until guilt is established by a court of law.

Police in Dindigul district arrested three more people on August 29, 2026 in connection with the alleged FQL cryptocurrency investment scam, as the number of petitions from affected investors rose sharply. The three arrested were identified as Ramesh, his wife Anitha, and Vijay. At that stage, the Dindigul District Crime Branch had registered a case against 10 suspects linked to the alleged scheme. The alleged fraud involved investment platforms known as FQL Exchange/FQL Investment Trading and later V G Investment. Police said investors were encouraged to deposit money with promises of unusually high returns, with some participants initially receiving payouts that encouraged them to invest larger amounts. Investigators allege that problems intensified after investors were moved toward V G Investment and were subsequently unable to withdraw their funds. As complaints increased, Madurai rural police organised three special camps to receive petitions and supporting documents from investors. By August 30, police had received nearly 25,000 complaints connected with the wider scam. The petitions were to be consolidated and forwarded for further investigation, including by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). One investor from Melur told police that he initially invested ₹50,000 and received returns before being persuaded to invest about ₹1 lakh in another scheme, after which he alleged that he lost his money. Police were investigating the network of agents and promoters, as well as how money moved through cash, UPI transactions and cryptocurrency-linked wallets. The scale of the case continued to expand after the initial arrests. By August 31, reports said police had received nearly 34,000 complaints, and by early September investigators said the alleged scheme had affected people across Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar districts. The cases were subsequently transferred to the Economic Offences Wing for a broader investigation. The investigation remains focused on identifying the organisers, tracing investor funds, examining cryptocurrency and bank transactions, and determining the total financial loss. The people named or arrested in connection with the case are accused or suspects unless and until guilt is established by a court.

A 57-year-old man identified by police as Raja alias Chinnalapatti Raja was arrested near Batlagundu in Dindigul district on September 9, 2026, after an attempted arrest reportedly turned violent. According to police, Raja was staying at his sister’s farmhouse near N Kovilpatti when a special police team arrived to secure him. Police said Raja allegedly threatened officers with a machete and refused to surrender. Sub-Inspector Arun Prasad reportedly fired warning shots into the air, after which Raja allegedly moved toward the officer and attacked him. The Sub-Inspector then fired at Raja’s leg, describing the action as self-defence. Raja was subsequently taken into custody, while the machete was recovered from the scene. Raja was initially admitted to Nilakottai Government Hospital and later shifted for further treatment. The injured Sub-Inspector also received medical care. Police said Raja had multiple previous criminal cases registered against him, including theft, robbery, murder and attempted murder allegations. He had also previously received a life sentence in a murder case before being released on interim bail while an appeal was pending. The incident drew attention after video footage reportedly showed portions of the confrontation. Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the related allegations.