Chennai: A 38-year-old welder, who had allegedly been stalking a woman and asking her to continue their relationship, died at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital on Saturday after he was beaten with an iron rod following a quarrel at the woman’s house in Alapakkam. Police altered the case from attempt to murder to murder.Police identified the deceased as Jaishankar, a resident of Mudichur Road in West Tambaram. Police said he installed a gate at Poongodi’s house, 45, Kesavaraya Mudali Street, Alapakkam, about four months ago. The two subsequently became acquainted and remained in touch over the phone.Police said Poongodi blocked Jaishankar’s phone number about 10 days ago. Jaishankar went to her house and argued with her over the issue.Poongodi informed her acquaintance Damodaran, 33, about the quarrel. Damodaran arrived and asked Jaishankar to leave. When the argument continued, Damodaran picked up an iron rod from the house and struck Jaishankar on the head, critically injuring him.Hearing his cries, neighbors rushed him to the Government District Headquarters Hospital in Tambaram and later shifted him to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for further treatment.Peerkankaranai police registered a case and arrested Damodaran and Poongodi. Both were remanded in judicial custody.Jaishankar died without responding to treatment on Saturday morning, after which police altered the case to murder. Further investigation is ongoing.
