Former DMK minister's brother murdered in Tiruchirapalli

Chennai, March 29 (IANS) Businessman K.N. Ramajayam, the younger brother of former DMK minister K.N. Nehru, was found murdered Thursday near Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, police said.

According to police, Ramajayam, aged around 50 with interests in varied businesses, had gone out for a morning walk and did not return home.

Later, police got information about the body of a male with its hands and legs tied. Ramajayam's wife identified the body as that of her husband.

The body was taken to the Government Hospital for post mortem.

Police suspect that Ramajayam was kidnapped in a car and later murdered. The killers later dumped the body near Trichy, around 320 km from here.

With the news of Ramajayam's murder, tension gripped the city with many shops downing their shutters and DMK cadres from the surrounding areas reaching Trichy.

Speaking to reporters, Trichy Police Commissioner Shailesh Kumar Yadav said the body bore an injury on the head. Other injuries will be known during the post-mortem.

He said special teams have been formed to track down the murderers and crack the case.

The murder of senior leader's brother has also shocked the DMK party members.

DMK president M. Karunanidhi condoled Ramajayam's death and urged the party cadres to be calm.

He also conveyed his condolences to Ramajayam's family.