A 20-year-old history-sheeter, Aadhi alias Aadhikesavan from Kolathur, was hacked to death in the maternity ward waiting area of Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in the early hours of Monday. Police identified the attack as stemming from prior enmity linked to personal relationships. Aadhi, classified as a C-class history-sheeter, had nine pending cases including murder, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, and assault. He had been released on bail just ten days earlier.

The incident unfolded after Aadhi visited the hospital where a woman he was involved with had delivered a premature baby in December. The child died on Sunday night, prompting an argument with hospital staff that required police intervention. Around 3:45 am, Surya—another man in a relationship with the woman and the father of the deceased child—arrived with a gang, spotted the intoxicated Aadhi asleep in the waiting area, and allegedly carried out the fatal attack before fleeing.

Kilpauk police responded swiftly, rushed Aadhi for treatment, but he was declared dead on arrival. A case was registered, and his body was sent for postmortem examination. Initial investigations led to the arrest of three suspects, with four others detained later in the day. Authorities formed nine teams to trace any remaining individuals involved and continue probing the motive.

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Senior officers, including Additional Commissioner of Police (South) K S Narenthiran Nayar and Joint Commissioner of Police (East) Bandi Gangadhar, visited the scene for inquiry. Reports indicate that Aadhi’s recent bail release had sparked a clash with a relative of a 2023 murder victim he was accused in, potentially contributing to the coordinated attack. CCTV footage from the hospital premises is under review as part of the ongoing investigation.

Political leaders condemned the incident, with BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran criticizing the DMK government for a collapse of law and order in Tamil Nadu, while AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami echoed concerns over safety in government institutions. In response, health department officials held a meeting with deans of government medical colleges, directing enhanced CCTV coverage and stricter entry controls. A pilot visitor ID tagging system has begun in one Salem hospital and is proposed for statewide rollout.

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