An 18-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil refugee was killed after a bar altercation escalated into a fatal hit-and-run incident in Chennai’s Koyambedu area during the early hours of Sunday, May 31.
The victim, identified as Yancy, suffered severe head injuries after being knocked off a motorcycle by a car allegedly driven by one of the suspects. A 17-year-old girl who was travelling with Yancy was also injured and is currently receiving treatment in hospital.
According to police, the incident began with a dispute between two groups inside a bar on Saturday night. Security personnel intervened and escorted both groups out of the establishment, but the confrontation continued outside on the street.
Investigators said some of Yancy’s associates, who were riding motorcycles, allegedly threw stones at a car carrying members of the rival group, including Balakumar alias Balaguru and Suman Sakthivel, causing damage to the vehicle.
Police allege that, in retaliation, Suman Sakthivel drove the car into the motorcycles. Yancy was thrown from the motorcycle and sustained critical head injuries, dying at the scene.
Following the incident, Koyambedu Police launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage from the area and conducting a search operation. Balakumar alias Balaguru, who was reportedly inside the car at the time, was arrested and later informed investigators that Suman Sakthivel had been driving the vehicle.
Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, while further investigations are continuing.
