An Ariyalur district court on Monday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the murder of an agricultural worker following a bitter confrontation rooted in a past affair.
The convict, Vijayakanth, a lorry driver by profession, had relocated to Chennai with his wife Gowthami after learning about her illicit relationship with a local man, R Manohar, from Kovil Esanai. The couple had moved away after villagers exposed the affair, and remained in the city for nearly four years before returning to their native place.
On April 19, 2023, Manohar, allegedly intoxicated, approached Gowthami at her residence in her husband’s absence. She reportedly tried to drive him away, but a heated argument ensued, during which Manohar hurled verbal abuses before storming off.
Gowthami informed Vijayakanth of the encounter the following day. Consumed by rage, Vijayakanth began searching for Manohar and eventually found him asleep near the Ayyanar temple. In a fit of vengeance, he struck Manohar multiple times with a metal rod. Manohar sustained severe head injuries and died instantly.
The Venganur police registered a case, recovered the body, and apprehended Vijayakanth. The trial was conducted at the Ariyalur District Sessions Court under the purview of Judge Malar Valantina.
Delivering the verdict, the court handed Vijayakanth a life sentence along with a penalty of ₹10,000. He has since been transferred to the Tiruchirappalli Central Prison to serve his term.