Tamil Nadu has witnessed a disturbing spate of gruesome murders over the past few days. Yet, the seriousness of these crimes appears to have received little sustained attention from the mainstream media, even as the state is being projected as a safe haven under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
Vijay had thundered against the DMK regime while in opposition, promising to make Tamil Nadu safer for everyone, particularly women. But with a series of horrific crimes now raising questions over law and order, the government’s frequent announcements of new schemes and initiatives risk overshadowing the more pressing issue of public safety. On the other side, you have promotions being done to project Vijay as the PM candidate.
Is Tamil Nadu actually becoming safer under the new government, or are these serious law-and-order concerns being drowned out by political messaging and announcements?
Here is a look at the disturbing crimes reported across Tamil Nadu over the past few days.
Tiruvallur: Man Hacked To Death Over Alleged Relationship Dispute
A 33-year-old man was hacked to death by a five-member gang near Pagalmedu in Tiruvallur district on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, with police suspecting that the murder was linked to an earlier relationship dispute, as reported in The Hindu.
The victim, Marimuthu, a driver from Chittathur near Vengal, had recently been booked for allegedly threatening a Tamil Nadu Electricity Board employee with a knife. He was later granted bail and had gone to the Vengal police station to sign the register as required under his bail conditions.
While returning home on his motorcycle, a gang travelling in a car allegedly rammed his vehicle before attacking him with knives. As the assailants fled, the car reportedly crashed into the compound wall of a roadside house. Locals caught three of the suspects and alerted the police, who subsequently arrested two more.
Police later recovered Marimuthu’s body and sent it to Tiruvallur Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.
During the preliminary probe, police found that Marimuthu had allegedly been in a relationship with a woman from Keelanur. Her husband had reportedly sent her to her mother’s house following disputes over the relationship, but she continued to remain in contact with Marimuthu, leading to frequent quarrels at home.
The woman died by suicide last year. Police suspect that her brother, Dheena, who allegedly held Marimuthu responsible for her death, and his associates planned and carried out the murder.
Kelambakkam: History-Sheeter Found Murdered At Cremation Ground
A 26-year-old history-sheeter, Sahul Hameed, was found murdered at a cremation ground in Kelambakkam on Sunday morning, 30 August 2026, as reported in The Hindu.
Hameed, a resident of Anna Nagar in Kelambakkam, had more than 10 criminal cases, including murder and attempted murder, registered against him at the Kelambakkam and Thalambur police stations.
Police received information about a person being found dead at the cremation ground behind Matha Church in K.S.S. Nagar on Sunday morning. During the investigation, police found that Hameed had been seen consuming alcohol with a few unidentified persons at the cremation ground on Saturday night.
A special police team has been formed to investigate the case.
Police are enquiring whether Hameed was murdered following a fallout with a rowdy from the Kolathur area of Mambakkam, with whom he was previously associated before the two parted ways.
Salem: Chopped Body Parts Of Woman Found In Water Tanks
Chopped body parts of a woman were found stuffed inside two gunny bags and dumped in overhead water tanks at a house in Arisipalayam, Salem, early on Monday, 31 August 2026, as reported in The Hindu.
The body parts were discovered after the family of Ramesh, 62, a temple priest living on Gunabalan Ramasamy Street, returned home from Kumbakonam and Thanjavur. When the family opened a tap, a foul odour emerged. Ramesh then checked the two overhead water tanks on the terrace and found the gunny bags containing chopped body parts.
He alerted the Pallapatti police, who retrieved the bags. As some body parts were found to be missing, police searched the terrace of a neighbouring house located behind Ramesh’s residence. Another gunny bag containing the remaining body parts was found there.
The three gunny bags were sent to Salem Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. Forensic experts examined the scene and lifted fingerprints. A sniffer dog was also brought to the house but did not lead police to anyone.
Police have registered a case and are investigating to establish the identity of the deceased and trace the missing body parts. Three persons, including a college student from the locality, have been taken in for questioning on suspicion.
Police sources said the name “Ganapathi” was tattooed on the deceased woman’s hand. She is suspected to be aged between 30 and 40.
CCTV footage from the streets around the area is being examined to identify those involved, police sources said.
Thiruneermalai: VCK Functionary Hacked To Death By Six-Member Gang
A Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) functionary was hacked to death by a six-member gang in Thiruneermalai on Friday (28 August 2026) morning, as reported in DTNext.
The deceased, Anbazhagan, alias Maina Kutty, was a resident of Thiruneermalai and served as the district organiser of the VCK’s Volunteers Wing.
Anbazhagan was talking to friends near the Ambedkar statue, close to the DMK zonal office, when six unidentified men wearing helmets arrived on three motorcycles. The gang allegedly attacked him repeatedly with sickles before fleeing the spot.
Onlookers alerted the 108 ambulance service. A medical team that reached the spot examined Anbazhagan and declared him dead.
The Shankar Nagar police sent his body to Tambaram Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police sources said Anbazhagan was facing several criminal cases, including three murder cases.
Police suspect previous enmity to be the motive behind the murder. A case has been registered, and police are examining CCTV footage from the locality to identify the killers.
Tirunelveli: A+ Category Rowdy Hacked To Death Over Financial Dispute
A 41-year-old A+ category rowdy was hacked to death at a farm near Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district on Saturday, 29 August 2026. Police later arrested a couple in connection with the murder, as reported in Times of India.
The deceased, Selvamurugan of Eethankattu, had 27 criminal cases pending against him, including six murder cases.
During the investigation, police found that Chandru, 26, of Pottalkulam in Kanyakumari district, had visited Selvamurugan along with his wife Gauri shortly before the murder.
Police said Chandru and Selvamurugan had a dispute over financial transactions related to a pond. The dispute escalated when Chandru, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, confronted Selvamurugan on Friday night. Police said Chandru attacked him with a sickle, causing fatal injuries.
Chandru and Gauri were arrested on Saturday. Police are continuing the investigation to establish the sequence of events and whether anyone else was involved.
Tirunelveli: Man Beheaded In Broad-Daylight Attack
A man identified as Bhaskar of Manimoorthiswaram in Tirunelveli was hacked to death by two youths on Sunday, 30 August 2026 evening, as reported in Vikatan.
Bhaskar, a paint worker who had married a woman from another community 11 years ago, was speaking with friends before leaving on his motorcycle, saying he was going to bathe in the river. The two accused allegedly intercepted him near the Thachanallur bypass road, attacked him repeatedly with sickles and beheaded him.
The assailants then allegedly carried his severed head about 150 metres and threw it near the Valavandha Amman temple junction before fleeing.
Police said Bhaskar had previous enmity with some people in the area over caste-related markings painted on electricity poles and his role in informing police about them. Police also said he had disputes with Manikandan and Ponraj over money and that Bhaskar had earlier opposed a kabaddi tournament they were organising.
Manikandan and Ponraj surrendered at the Thachanallur police station with sickles. Police are investigating and searching for others.
Cuddalore: We The Leaders Member Hacked After Questioning Men Drinking On Street
A man associated with former BJP president Annamalai’s We The Leaders organisation was hacked with a machete in Kurinjipadi, Cuddalore district.
Vijayakumar, who had reportedly questioned people consuming alcohol on Kuttaikkara Theru, was sleeping at his house in the early hours when an unidentified gang allegedly attacked him with machetes.
Police rescued Vijayakumar, who was found lying in a pool of blood, and admitted him to the Cuddalore Government Hospital for treatment.
In connection with the incident, police arrested five people. Further investigation is underway.
Kallakurichi: 75-Year-Old Woman Beaten To Death For Gold Jewellery
A 75-year-old woman was allegedly beaten to death for her gold jewellery at a farm in Malaikottalam village near Kallakurichi, as reported in Dinamalar.
The deceased, Viruthambal, wife of Periyasamy, had gone to her millet field on Sunday evening to guard the crop. When she did not return home, her family and neighbours searched for her. She was found dead inside the field on Monday morning with severe injuries to her head.
Police found that the three-sovereign gold jewellery she was wearing, including her thali chain, anklets and nose stud, had been stolen.
Varanjiram police registered a case based on a complaint from her daughter Poongodi. Fingerprint and forensic experts collected evidence from the scene, while the body was sent to Kallakurichi Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Police have taken a person working at a brick kiln in the Ulundurpet area for questioning in connection with the murder.
Robberies in TN
These gruesome murders were not the only crimes that occurred over the past week in TN. There were several robberies, chain snatching incidents too that took place in August 2026.
Kolathur: Two Arrested For Stealing 8-Sovereign Chain From Woman
Kolathur police arrested two men for allegedly snatching an eight-sovereign gold chain from a 63-year-old woman while she was walking to church with her husband on the morning of 11 August 2026, as reported in DT Next.
The victim, Susheela of Akbar Square Second Street, was walking with her husband, Devasahayam, when two helmeted men on a motorcycle approached from behind near GKM Colony 38th Street and snatched her chain.
Based on her complaint, police examined CCTV footage, traced the motorcycle using its registration number and arrested Bharath, 23, and Prakash, 27, both from Aminjikarai.
Police found that Bharath had more than 10 robbery cases pending against him, while Prakash had two. During interrogation, the duo allegedly said they committed the theft to save money and jewellery for Bharath’s wedding.
Police recovered the stolen chain. The two were remanded in judicial custody.
Vandalur: Teacher Robbed Of 7-Sovereign Gold Chain
A 49-year-old government school teacher was robbed of her seven-sovereign gold thali chain near Vandalur railway station on Saturday, 22 August 2026, evening, as reported in Times of India.
The woman, Selvi of Mannivakkam, had completed census work at Oonamancheri and was walking home along GST Road after getting down at Vandalur bus stop. While descending the foot overbridge near the railway station, an unidentified man who had been following her allegedly pushed her down and snatched her chain before fleeing across the railway tracks.
Two sovereigns that fell from the chain were later recovered. Passers-by chased the suspect, but he escaped into a nearby residential area.
Otteri police registered a case and are examining CCTV footage to identify the suspect and trace his movements. Police suspect habitual offenders were involved in the robbery.
Vellore: Two Arrested For Snatching 10-Sovereign Gold Chain
Bagayam police in Vellore arrested two youths on Saturday, 29 August 2026, for allegedly snatching a 10-sovereign gold chain from a 54-year-old insurance company employee, as reported in The Hindu.
The victim, Kameela Manjula, was returning home near Christian Medical College (CMC) in Bagayam on August 25 when Kenerson, 21, and K. Diwakar, 21, both from Katpadi, allegedly snatched her chain while riding a two-wheeler and fled.
Following a complaint, special police teams examined CCTV footage along the route and traced the duo to their hideout in Katpadi.
Police arrested both men and recovered the stolen gold chain. They were later lodged at Vellore Central Prison. A probe is underway.
Paramathi Velur: Couple Tied Up, Robbed Of 40 Sovereigns And ₹40 Lakh
A five-member gang allegedly broke into the house of a 60-year-old jaggery trader and his wife near Paramathi Velur in the early hours of Monday, 31 August 2026, and robbed them of 40 sovereigns of jewellery and ₹40 lakh in cash, as reported in The Hindu.
The gang allegedly entered the house of Vairavan and his wife Sumathi, 55, at Pilikalpalayam on Sunday night. After the couple came out of their room on hearing a noise, the gang allegedly tied them up and attacked them before fleeing with the jewellery and cash.
The couple managed to untie themselves on Monday morning and alerted the Paramathi Velur police.
Forensic experts collected fingerprints from the house, while a sniffer dog was deployed. Police are also examining CCTV footage from the locality. A case has been registered.
TVK’s Law And Order Claims Face Reality Check
The string of murders and robberies across Tamil Nadu raises serious questions about the law-and-order situation under the Joseph Vijay government. Men are being hacked and beheaded, a woman has been dismembered, an elderly woman was killed for jewellery, and armed gangs continue to target people in broad daylight.
These are not mere statistics. They are crimes that directly affect the safety of ordinary people.
Joseph Vijay came to power promising a safer Tamil Nadu and had repeatedly attacked the previous government over law and order. But less than a few months into his government, the ground reality is far removed from those promises.
Scheme announcements and projecting himself as the PM candidate cannot substitute for law and order. If TVK wants to claim that Tamil Nadu is safe, it first needs to explain these crimes.
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