The three destitute pilgrims were sleeping on a platform connecting the Srirangam temple adjacent to a wedding hall when they were run over.
Accused Lakshmi Narayanan and Aswanth who drove the car
Three destitute pilgrims, who were sleeping on a platform, were killed when a speeding car ran over them in Tiruchirappalli in the early hours of Sunday, 12 March.
According to the police, Lakshmi Narayanan (23) and Aswanth (21) were driving their car on Amma Mandapam road in Srirangam in a rash manner in the early hours of Sunday.
The two were said to be in an inebriated condition and ran over the pilgrims who were sleeping on a platform connecting the Srirangam temple adjacent to a wedding hall in Geethapuram.
Raising alarm, the neighbours and passers-by rushed to the rescue of the pilgrims. One of them died on the spot, while two others were severely injured.
Having informed the 108 ambulance service, the local people intimated the police as well.
The two persons, who were taken to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital were declared dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, the two tried to escape in the car from the scene. The angered local people trashed the car and beat the duo.
The police rushed to the spot and rescued them from the mob. The duo was taken to the police station for further inquiry.
An officer from the Traffic Investigation Wing (North) told South First that the car tyres could have burst, leading to the incident.
He also said that the duo was in an inebriated state, and their blood samples had been sent for a medical examination.
He also said that the identities of the three persons who died in the incident could not be ascertained, and that their photographs had been sent to other stations for identification.
K Venkateswaran, a resident of Srirangam, told South First: “Usually, pilgrims and beggars from different parts of the country come to Srirangam to worship the Ranganathar. Those coming from far away tend to rest in the free mandapams and platforms attached to the temple.”
He added: “The police and temple administration should make arrangements and instal proper barricades and speed breakers in the roads so that such incidents can be prevented in the future.”
M Sarangan, a devotee, said that the municipal corporation should take efforts to allot government-run homes for the destitute and beggars to rest at night.
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