Man Killed by Gang Over Money Dispute

A 29-year-old man named D. Pradeep Raj was killed by a group of people in Tiruvottiyur on September 9, 2026. The attack happened over a long-standing financial disagreement. Four suspects have been arrested for his murder.

Pradeep Raj worked at the harbor and was attacked around 8:30 p.m. while walking near West North Mada Street. A group of men surrounded him and attacked him with knives, causing severe injuries to his head and face. He died immediately.

The police arrived quickly, removed the body, and sent it to Government Stanley Hospital for an examination. They also formed a special team to catch those involved.

The conflict started when Pradeep Raj’s mother borrowed ₹9 lakh from a woman named Navaneetham but couldn’t repay it. When Navaneetham asked for the money on July 26, she was threatened by Pradeep Raj and others. After filing a complaint, Pradeep Raj was arrested but later released on bail.

Tensions between the two groups grew worse after that. Pradeep Raj had installed an idol near Navaneetham’s tiffin shop each year for Vinayagar Chaturthi. This year, police called both sides in for questioning on September 8 to prevent violence during celebrations.

During the meeting, Pradeep Raj reportedly threatened Navaneetham’s family and accused her relative of illegal activities. This worsened the conflict further.

Days before the attack, police learned that both groups were preparing to fight each other. On September 8, they warned Pradeep Raj against such behavior.

After the murder, a special police team tracked down four suspects hiding in Madhavaram and arrested them. The suspects are Narayanan alias Naveen, Hari Krishnan, Jabar, and Lokesh, who are now being questioned.