A DMK councillor, R Damodharan, and four others were charged with the murder of an auto-rickshaw driver, K Kumar, in Padalam town. Damodharan suspected Kumar of having an affair with his deceased wife and stealing Rs 90 lakh and some jewelry, leading to the premeditated murder. All six accused were arrested and remanded in judicial custody, with a hammer believed to be the murder weapon recovered. The incident has cast a shadow over the reputation of Tambaram City Municipal Corporation, serving as a reminder that no position or power can shield perpetrators from the rule of law.