Four held for attempting to murder official on election duty

Revenue Inspector (RI) K Poovidhan yesterday noticed a DMK party symbol painted on the wall of a temple managed by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, police said. When Poovidhan tried to videograph the prohibited practice, as political parties are not permitted to paint their symbols on on walls, he was prevented by the four accused, they said.

Besides not allowing the RI to paint over the party symbol to hide it from display, the accused also abused him in foul language and tried to attack him, they said. Following a complaint by the government official, Sivaraman (34), Karthik (22), Santhosh Kumar of Guttapalli, and Rajanesh of nearby Banneripalli were arrested, police said.

The accused were booked under various sections of the IPC including attempt to murder, preventing a government servent from exercising his duty and violating the Model Code of Conduct, they said. Assembly elections are set to be held in Tamil Nadu on April 13.