Chennai, 16 January (H.S.) : An obsession with Instagram led to a tragic murder in the Pallavaram suburb of Chennai on the eve of Pongal. The Pallavaram police have arrested two women, identified as Reena and Rakshitha, along with a 17-year-old teenager, for the brutal killing of a 22-year-old construction worker named Selvakumar.

According to the investigation, the victim was lured to a secluded spot in Subham Nagar by the women, whom he had met through the social media platform. Once he arrived, four accomplices on motorcycles attacked him with sickles, hacking him to death in a public view before fleeing the scene.

The investigation revealed a complex web of online relationships and blackmail. Reena and Rakshitha were reportedly deeply immersed in social media, connecting with numerous men to extract money and maintain a lavish lifestyle. Selvakumar had developed a romantic relationship with both women but later began subjecting them to intense harassment and threats, forbidding them from contacting other men.

Feeling trapped, the women allegedly conspired with their other Instagram contacts to eliminate him. Following the attack, the women initially staged a drama by claiming that robbers had assaulted the victim, but a thorough examination of their mobile phones by the police uncovered the planned nature of the crime.

The version of authority provided by the Pallavaram police indicates that the two women and the teenager have been detained and have confessed to their roles in the conspiracy. The police are currently conducting a massive manhunt for three other suspects, including an individual named Alex, who were directly involved in the physical assault.

The authorities emphasized that the misuse of social media platforms for financial gain and the resulting toxic relationships are becoming a serious concern for public safety. The arrested trio is expected to be produced before the court as the search for the remaining assailants continues.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary