Salem, Sep 2: Pallapatti police arrested three people on Tuesday night in connection with the murder and dismemberment of a woman whose body parts were recovered from overhead water tanks and a terrace in Arisipalayam, officials said.
Victim identified; arrest follows CCTV and phone probe
The victim has been identified as Thangamani (reported as J. Thangamani in hospital records), a woman from Mettupatti, Thadhanur, who worked as domestic help. Her husband, Jeevanandam, had filed a missing person complaint with the Pallapatti police saying she had been missing since August 28, police said.
The gruesome discovery was made on Monday when a resident, a 62-year-old temple priest named Ramesh of Gunapala Ramasamy Street, noticed a foul smell in the water supply. On opening the lids of two overhead tanks at his house he found plastic sacks containing dismembered human remains. Another sack with body parts was found on the terrace of a neighbouring house in Arisipalayam.
Police said the victim was identified at Salem Government Hospital by her husband through a tattoo on her hand. After examining CCTV footage from the area and analysing call records, investigators traced and arrested three accused: Nandini (28), reportedly a maid from Sukkampatti; Malik Basha (27), a driver from Alagapuram; and Sivaraman (26) of Kuranguchavadi.
Allegations: murder, robbery and disposal
According to police officials, the trio allegedly murdered Thangamani, robbed her of jewellery reportedly worth four sovereigns, and then dismembered her body to conceal it in water tanks and on a terrace. Investigators said preliminary inquiries indicate that Nandini took the victim to her aunt’s house with the pretext of offering work. There, police allege, she and Malik Basha attacked Thangamani on the head with a wooden log, resulting in her death. Sivaraman is accused of assisting in the dismemberment and disposal of the remains.
"We arrested three persons after reviewing CCTV footage and mobile phone records; further investigation is on," a Pallapatti police official said.
Investigation steps and local response
Police said they are continuing to examine call detail records and other leads to establish the sequence of events and any further involvement. Forensic teams conducted an initial examination at the scene and recovered evidence from the tanks and terrace where the remains were concealed.
- Missing complaint lodged by husband Jeevanandam on August 28.
- Remains discovered on Monday in overhead tanks and rooftop at Arisipalayam.
- Three accused arrested following CCTV and mobile phone analysis.
- Alleged motive includes robbery of jewellery worth four sovereigns.
Residents in Arisipalayam expressed shock at the nature of the crime. Local community leaders said they have sought additional police patrolling and quicker resolution of the probe. The discovery of body parts in water tanks has also raised immediate public-health and water-safety concerns in the neighbourhood.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 28 | Thangamani reported missing after leaving for work |
| Sep 1 (Monday) | Dismembered remains found in overhead tanks and terrace, stench noticed by temple priest |
| Sep 2 (Tuesday night) | Three arrests made following CCTV and mobile call record examination |
Police have not yet filed final charges; officials said statements are being recorded and further forensic reports are awaited. Investigation teams are also verifying the claimed relationship between the accused and the victim, including the circumstances under which the victim was taken to the location where she was allegedly attacked.
Court proceedings and formal police charges will determine the precise sections invoked; the police have indicated the probe remains active and additional persons may be questioned as inquiries progress.
Local authorities have advised residents to report any CCTV footage or information related to the case to the Pallapatti police station to assist the ongoing investigation.
