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Armstrong was hacked to death by a six-member gang near his residence in Perambur, Chennai, on Friday. (Image via X/@TheBluePen250
The police said Armstrong’s killing could be linked to the “revenge murder” of gangster Arcot Suresh, who was allegedly killed in August 2023 as part of a gang rivalry
The Greater Chennai police officers, who are investigating the murder of Tamil Nadu Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief K. Armstrong, on Friday stated that there is “little chance of a political motive” in the case.
Armstrong was hacked to death by six bike-borne men near his house in Perambur, Chennai, on Friday evening. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
To investigate the murder case, the police have formed 10 special teams and have arrested eight people so far in connection with the case.
“10 special teams were formed. After investigating the crime scene and CCTV footage, 8 suspects were arrested in 2 hours. The conspiracy of the crime and everything is being investigated,” Greater Chennai Police Commissioner Sandeep Rai Rathore told the media on Saturday.
Tamil Nadu: On the murder of BSP state president K Armstrong, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner Sandeep Rai Rathore says, “10 special teams were formed. After investigating the crime scene and CCTV footage, 8 suspects were arrested in 2 hours. The conspiracy of the crime and… pic.twitter.com/xbYc2EW1uZ— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2024
The police suspect the possibility of this being a ‘revenge murder’ linked to the killing of gangster Arcot Suresh, who was killed in August 2023, allegedly over a gang rivalry.
Commissioner Rathore, however, clarified that they did not find any specific threat to Armstrong during the investigation.
“We are investigating from all angles. Armstrong had a gun license. He surrendered the gun following the model code of conduct during the elections. His gun was returned to him after the model code of conduct was lifted. After accessing our records, we did not find any specific threat to Armstrong,” Rathore stated.
Meanwhile, BSP supporters of the slain leader claimed his killing was “planned murder” and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of the 52-year-old former Chennai Corporation Councillor.
Earlier today, they also staged a protest outside Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, where Armstrong’s body is being kept in the mortuary for autopsy.
(With inputs from ANI)
