Chennai couple murdered, bodies dumped in water sump – Times of India

Chennai News

CHENNAI: A retired Metrowater employee and his wife were found murdered in the underground sump at their house at Kolappakkam near Vandalur on Saturday, with their throats slit.
The woman’s hands were tied up. The assailants entered the house despite the presence of two dogs, washed the blood stains and sprinkled turmeric powder to blot their trail, police said.
The deceased were identified as Samson Dinakaran, 63, a former time keeper with Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), popular as Metrowater, and his 52-year-old wife Janet. Samson’s first wife Alia, 55, son Immanuel, 28, and daughter Benita, 30, live in Guduvanchery.
An officer said Benita, who spoke to her father over phone daily, tried to contact him during heavy rain on Friday night but gave up after three calls, assuming that he may have fallen asleep. But, when he remained unreachable on Saturday too, she called one of Samson’s neighbours and asked him to check. After going to the house, the neighbour informed her that there was no one inside the house, the door was locked from inside and that the back door was left open. Benita then rushed to the house along with her mother and brother.
Finding it empty, she alerted the police control room and the Vandalur-Otteri police were informed. A team of officers rushed to the spot and began making inquiries. The lights outside the house where found switched off. In one of the rooms, the smell of blood was present despite the stains being washed away and turmeric powder was sprinkled all over the room. An empty box was found on the floor.
The police team then checked the outer premises and saw that the water sump was left half open. Floating inside were the bodies of Samson and Janet. Their throats bore long knife-cut marks and the hands of the woman were tied up. The bodies were sent to the Chromepet Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police quoting some of the couple’s neighbours said the couple always kept the door locked and never opened it for outsiders. Samson only opened the door for people known to them, an investigating officer said. “It was difficult for the outsiders to get in as the dogs never let anyone,” he added.
A case of murder was registered. Janet’s mobile phone was retrieved from the house, while Samson’s phone was found near a fuel outlet (petrol bunk) at Alapakkam near Nedunkundram.
Police have collected CCTV camera footage from the locality to nab the killers. The motive behind the murder is yet to established and police are also looking into the possibility of someone known to the victims being involved.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-couple-murdered-bodies-dumped-in-water-sump/articleshow/84539424.cms