Ranipet, Aug 11: In a suspected revenge killing, a 31-year-old man was brutally chased and stabbed to death in broad daylight just 100 metres from the Ratnagiri police station in Ranipet district. The incident occurred around 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, shocking locals with its brazenness.

The victim, Avinesh from Arakkonam, was out on bail and had been required to sign in daily at the Ratnagiri police station. As he passed a shoe shop near the station, a gang of five men attacked and repeatedly slashed him, leaving him fatally injured.

According to police sources, Avinesh had been employed by Sudhakar, a businessman dealing in real estate and finance and the husband of DMK councillor Ashwini. Earlier this year, in April, Avinesh was arrested for allegedly stabbing Sudhakar during an altercation, reportedly triggered when Sudhakar abused Avinesh’s mother. Sudhakar was hospitalised at the time but survived the attack, and Avinesh was granted bail earlier this month.

Following Saturday’s killing, Sudhakar, along with three others, walked into the police station carrying a bloody knife and surrendered. Police, led by Deputy Superintendent Imayavarma and Inspector Parthasarathy, have launched an investigation into the case, which they believe to be a retaliatory attack.