A 20-year-old engineering student was allegedly beaten to death near a private college on the Coimbatore–Pollachi Road on Monday night, police said. Chettipalayam police recovered the body and have detained five suspects as part of an ongoing investigation, officials confirmed.
Incident and immediate response
The victim, identified in police records as Amuthan, a native of Kallakurichi district and a third-year student at a private engineering college near Premier Mills, was returning with a friend when a group of youths intercepted them, said police sources. The friend managed to escape during the assault and later returned with another person who took Amuthan to hospital on a two-wheeler. The victim reportedly succumbed to his injuries en route.
- Victim: Amuthan, 20, third-year engineering student
- Location: Near private engineering college, Coimbatore–Pollachi Road (Premier Mills area)
- Police action: Five suspects detained; investigation under way by Chettipalayam police
- Post-mortem: Body sent to ESI Hospital, Singanallur
Allegations of motive and college background
Family members said Amuthan had earlier raised concerns about drug-related activity at the college hostel, and his father has linked the assault to that complaint. The victim and another student had reportedly argued a few days earlier with some northern-state workers employed as cooks at the hostel, which led to the college authorities temporarily expelling Amuthan and his friend from the hostel. The issue was later resolved and Amuthan returned to the hostel, according to sources.
"Murder over drug complaint," the victim's father alleged, according to family statements referenced by police sources.
Police have not, as of filing, publicly confirmed motive. Investigating officers said they are probing all angles, including whether the recent argument at the hostel or the prior complaint about drug trafficking played any role in the assault.
Police investigation and detenues
Chettipalayam police reached the spot after receiving information and recovered the body. The detained suspects are understood to be youths believed to be college mates; sources put the number of assailants involved in the attack at around 10, though five have so far been taken into custody. The police said they will question the detained persons and examine CCTV footage, witness statements and forensic evidence as part of their probe.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of suspects detained | 5 |
| Alleged number of attackers | Approximately 10 (sources) |
| Hospital for post-mortem | ESI Hospital, Singanallur |
Local impact and next steps
The incident has raised concerns about safety on and around college campuses in the city and about the handling of complaints related to drugs within hostels. Family members insisted the deceased was not involved in criminal activity and called for a thorough investigation. Police said they will file an FIR and proceed with legal formalities after completing initial enquiries and the post-mortem report.
Officers are expected to provide further details, including formal charges and the identities of the detained suspects, after completion of the ongoing probe. Residents and student groups near the college have been urged to cooperate with law enforcement and preserve any footage or evidence that could assist the investigation.
Chettipalayam police have not released further statements on the identities of those arrested or the precise sequence of events pending verification of eyewitness accounts and forensic findings.
