Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu): A 24-year-old man, the son of a prominent DMK functionary in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district, has been arrested for allegedly killing a local official by intentionally ramming a car into him and his family. The incident, which took place on Sunday night in Hosur’s Annai Aravindan Nagar, has sparked significant political controversy and raised fresh concerns over road rage and the misuse of political influence.
The primary accused, identified as S. Adhitya, is the son of Srinivasan, the DMK’s Krishnagiri West District Deputy Secretary and a former municipal councillor. Adhitya, a third-year arts and science college student, was reportedly driving with two friends when a confrontation erupted outside the residence of 57-year-old K. Sivamoorthy, an assistant inspector of labour.
According to police reports, the dispute began when Adhitya began honking repeatedly at two-wheelers parked outside Sivamoorthy’s house, which were partially obstructing the narrow road. Sivamoorthy, along with his son Kirubakaran, daughter-in-law Amsaveni, and six-month-old granddaughter Nilani, stepped outside to move the vehicles. The situation quickly escalated from a verbal argument into a violent altercation. Witnesses and family members alleged that the youths in the car appeared intoxicated and behaved aggressively.
The confrontation turned fatal when Adhitya allegedly drove his vehicle directly into the family group. Sivamoorthy sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead while being transported to the Hosur Government Hospital. His son, daughter-in-law, and the infant also suffered injuries in the assault but are reported to be in stable condition.
Following the incident, the Hosur town police arrested Adhitya along with his two companions, identified as 19-year-olds S. Harish and S. Rithik Kumar, both second-year college students. The three have been charged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 103(1) for murder. On Monday evening, they were remanded to judicial custody in Salem Central Prison.
The tragedy has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. BJP state president Nainar Nagendran and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami have condemned the incident, accusing the ruling DMK of fostering a culture of “arrogance” and failing to maintain law and order. Investigators are currently reviewing local surveillance footage and await forensic reports to confirm the allegations of intoxication.
