CHENNAI: Investigations into the May 19 kidnap and murder of retired government engineer Masilamani revealed a plot concocted by a three-member gang of men looking to get employed by wealthy persons who they could later “do away” with. Police uncovered the plot after following the trail of Masilamani’s driver who they had suspected as having been involved in the murder. Masilamani was an engineer who had retired from the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance board before becoming a building contractor. The Anna Nagar (West) resident had left his home on May 19 with `4.5 lakh to be paid as wages to his staff at Errukanchery, where he was constructing a house for a client. When he did not return home, his brother filed a missing complaint at the Kodungaiyur police station. False IdentityOn May 20, cops found his charred remains in a burnt car in Guindy and started investigating the victim’s driver Suresh. Their suspicions were further aroused when they realised there were no pictures or videos of the driver, who was slowly emerging as the prime suspect. The police found that in April, Masilamani’s two US-based sons had come down for a visit. Three functions were held at the house then and Suresh had refused to have lunch at all three in order avoid being photographed, a senior police official told Express. Still the Adyar police managed to find his hideout -- a mansion in Kodambakkam. The landlord had insisted on photo identification and Suresh had to submit a photo with his licence. While the photo was real, he had obtained the license in the name ‘Suresh,’ concealing his real identity -- Shiva alias S Shivamurugan (23) of Peyanvilai in Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi.‘Deadly Plot’Shiva was part of a three-member gang of drivers looking for “prospective, wealthy victims,”. It was “deadly planning” by the trio -- leader K Murugan (24) of Puthur, Nandu alias M Nandakumar and Shiva, the officer said. Shiva had first worked as a driver at in Thirukazhukundram. He next worked for a man in Kodambakkam but found the employer not wealthy enough. He joined as Masilamani’s driver in April.
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