Police suspect love affair or family dispute to be motive

An engineering student, who was kidnapped on Friday evening, was found murdered on the banks of Veeracholan river at Thirubuvanam near Kumbakonam on Saturday.

The youth, Mumthazer, 20, a second-year student of an engineering college in Mayiladuthurai, was reported to have been kidnapped on Friday.

According to police sources, Mumtaz Begum, his mother, of Avaniapuram near Aduthurai, received a phone call around 8.15 p.m. on Friday, with the caller claiming that her son was in their custody and allegedly demanded a ransom of ₹5 lakh for his release. The caller reportedly threatened to kill the youth if she refused to follow instructions.

Following this, Ms. Begum rushed to the Thiruvidaimaruthur police station along with her relatives.

Upon receiving a complaint, the police launched a search and began tracking phone records of suspects.

Meanwhile, Mumthazer's body was found on the banks of Veeracholan river on Saturday morning. Superintendent of Police T. Senthil Kumar rushed to the spot and conducted an enquiry.

Denying that the student was killed for ransom, a senior police officer told The Hindu that a love affair or family dispute could be the reason for the murder and the ransom demand could be a diversionary tactic. The accused would be arrested soon, Mr. Senthil Kumar added.