More footage takes cops closer to killer

An order in this regard has already been issued and special teams have been formed to investigate the case, which the Government Railway Police (GRP) has been trying hard to crack for the last three days. Both the cyber crime and CB-CID would assist in the investigation. Meanwhile, police sources confirmed that a youth in green checked shirt and black trousers caught on private CCTV cameras was the suspect. More images from the cameras reportedly show the youth in front of a building and moving to the station after Swathi’s father left the station. 

“It is evident that he could identify Swathi’s father and also knew about their routine. It seems that he waited till her father left the station to approach the woman and murder her at the station,” a police official said. 

All digital evidence from Swathi’s social media accounts and WhatsApp messages have been gathered by police. They have also recovered the deleted messages from the server. “We are getting closer to the accused as we are getting more information regarding him,” the official added.

He said all the calls made from the tower near Nungambakkam station had been screened. “We still do not know whether the accused is in Chennai or if he has managed to escape from the city. The machete used by him was about two feet long and are generally used to cut big fruits like jackfruits and tender coconut,” the official added.

Accusing the ruling AIADMK of not doing enough on the law and order front, DMK Treasurer MK Stalin on Monday urged the State government to take swift action to prevent crimes . Stalin who visited Swathi’s family said, “The city is transforming into a city of murders.” Quoting Swathi’s parents as saying, “Swathi should be the last. No one should suffer such a loss,” Stalin said their generous statement shook him.