Security guard at Jaya’s estate hacked to death, cops say gang after documents

A group of men hacked to death early on Monday morning a middle-aged security guard and seriously injured another at a sprawling estate in Tamil Nadu’s Kodanad, owned by former state chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

Police said the murder by unknown assailants took place between 11.30pm on Sunday and 1.30am on Monday. No missing property complaints were filed but local police said the gang of eight men were after some important documents.

The dead guard was identified as Om Bahadur while the injured staff, Krishna Bahadur, is being treated at a local hospital.Police are questioning several people, including employees at the Kodanad estate.

No fire arms were used in the attack , according to police sources. No CCTV footage was available.

The estate, spread over 900 acres, was a retreat often used by Jayalalithaa for rest and treatment, and a place that she visited regularly, especially during the sultry summer months.

The sprawling property on the Nilgiris first came into the public spotlight in the 90s as part of allegations of disproportionate assets against the then AIADMK chief.