The Tamil Nadu state unit president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), K Armstrong was murdered in retaliation for the killing of a gangster named Arcot Suresh, police said based on their preliminary investigation. Armstrong was hacked to death by a six-member gang on Friday evening near Perambur in Chennai.
Officials said that Suresh was a native of Vellore and was a known figure in Perambur. But he had a contentious relationship with Armstrong.
Suresh was allegedly a supporter of a gold trading company which was involved in a financial scam. Armstrong was a supporter of the victims of the scam and had promised to retrieve their investments. This was the major reason for their rivalry.
Police also informed that Suresh’s murder was carried out by a gang led by Jaypal.
“The assailants believe Jayapal killed Suresh on orders from Armstrong. Jayapal is currently in prison in a different case. He also faces complaints of taking commissions from investors to retrieve their lost money. In Armstrong’s murder, Suresh’s brother, Baalu, who is facing at least three criminal cases, has now been arrested. Baalu allegedly led the gang that killed Arm]’strong on Friday,” said a senior officer.
At least eight suspects have been secured in connection with the murder of Armstrong.