A daring attempt to get extra intoxication by a five-member gang ended up killing one man and injuring another in Chennai. Though the incident happened on Thursday, it came to light only after the Nolambur police filed an FIR on Monday.
According to reports, five men -- Raja, Masi, Mohammed Razaq, Gnanavelraja and Vignesh -- who are friends checked in to a lodge in Ayanambakkam on Sunday. Raja, a resident of Perungudi, is a cab driver in Perungudi while Vignesh, a resident of Mogappair, is a milk vendor. The men’s plan was to ‘prepare’ a drug-gel with ganja leaves for extra effect. They wanted to spread this gel on their cigarettes and smoke for extra intoxication.
While Razaq, Gnanavelraja and Masi stepped out to buy cigarettes, Raja and Vignesh stayed back to prepare the gel. As a vapour from the concoction filled the room, one of the men tried to light a cigarette causing the fire. Since the men had closed all the doors and windows of the room, there was no ventilation for the vapours to get diluted. The men cried out for help after which the lodge staff barged into the room and put out the fire.
Raja and Vignesh were rushed to the Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital for treatment, where Raja died on Monday.
Owing to lack of clarity on the jurisdiction over the lodge between Nolambur and Thiruverkadu police stations, there was delay in filing a case. However, after higher officials intervened, the Nolambur police registered an FIR on Monday. The police have also secured Masi, Gnanavelraja and Razaq for questioning.