Published Aug 22, 2026 | 5:23 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2026 | 5:23 PM
Praveen Kumar was reportedly in a relationship with a woman in his neighbourhood.
Synopsis: A 23-year-old man, Praveen Kumar, died five days after he was allegedly attacked over his relationship with a woman from the same locality near Kelambakkam. Police have altered the case to murder and arrested four accused, while another suspect remains absconding.
A 23-year-old private company employee was fatally stabbed following a dispute over his relationship with a woman at Thaiyur near Kelambakkam, a residential locality outside Chennai in the Chengalpattu district.
Identifying the deceased as Praveen Kumar, police said he battled for his life for four days before dying on Thursday, 20 August. He was attacked around 9.30 pm on 16 August.
It has been reported that Kumar, son of Karunakaran residing at Periyamma Nagar in Thaiyur, was in a relationship with a woman from the same locality. Both youngsters belonged to the same Dalit community.
Police said the woman’s family members had repeatedly warned him against continuing the relationship.
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On the night of 16 August, the woman’s family members summoned Kumar to a location near his house on the pretext of having a conversation. He was then allegedly attacked with a knife by the woman’s brother, father and others.
Kumar suffered severe injuries to his head and hands. He was initially treated at a private hospital in Kelambakkam and was later shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai.
Kelambakkam police police initially registered a case of attempt to murder based on a complaint from his mother, Prabhavathi. The case was later altered to murder.
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Police arrested four accused on 17 August. They were identified as Manikandan, 32, son of Rathinam; Ezhumalai, 43, son of Sivalingam; Nandhees, 18, son of Muniyan; and Gautham, 18, son of Ezhumalai. They were produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.
Reports identified Ezhumalai, the woman’s father, as a worker of the ruling TVK.
Kumar’s death sparked tension in the area when more than 500 people, mostly youngsters, gathered near the roundabout on the Kelambakkam New Bypass Road. They gathered when Kumar’s body was being taken home after the post-mortem examination.
The crowd braved heavy rain and blocked the road, demanding justice for Kumar and the immediate arrest of the remaining accused. The protest, which continued for more than two hours, disrupted vehicular traffic.
A minor confrontation was also reported between the protesters and police.
Police said they were investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal attack, besides searching for the absconding suspects.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
