The death of a male servant at the residence of Congress MLA Munirathna in Vyalikaval on Sunday was an accident, police have concluded.
Venkatesh, 45, carried a 30-litre can that contained Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP), a high explosive. Prasanna, the MLA’s chauffeur, told the police that he was cleaning the car park when Venkatesh brought out the blue can and walked by around 9.30 am. Venkatesh was talking on the phone.
Eyewitness account
Moments later, Prasanna said, he heard a loud noise, which rattled him so much that he had to hide for some time. When he regained his senses, he rushed to the spot and was petrified to see Venkatesh’s body ripped apart. The MLA’s gunman, Srinivas, called the police.
A police officer said it appeared to be a case of negligence on the part of Venkatesh. But he hastened to add that they were investigating whether the can was abandoned by someone and Venkatesh had picked it up or he had brought it from Jinke Park, Chamarajpet, to make plaster of Paris statues. Police believe Venkatesh had recently started a granite business.
Police are waiting for the forensic report to hold anyone culpable for the incident.