Ilanchezhian, 46, was returning after dropping his children at a school when the incident happened.
More than 10 people, following Ilanchezian in a car, knocked him down from his two-wheeler, police said, they then hacked him to death before fleeing the spot.
Ilanchezhian was allegedly involved in a few murder cases, including that of the recent killing of the 16-year-old son of a former leader of 'Puthia Tamizhagam' - a political party that advocates the rights of those belonging to the schedule caste communities, police said.
The officials said one of the accused, Kasiviswanathan, had already surrendered. Kasiviswanathan, who allegedly led the gang that killed Ilanchezhian, had enmity with the victim for the past three years, they noted.
Kasiviswanathan had earlier tried to plant bombs in Ilanchezhian's farm at Avaniapuram near here, but he himself was injured as a bomb went off accidentally, police said.
Ilanchezhian had also been arrested along with Kasiviswanathan in connection with the explosion, as it had taken place in his farm, but was then released, they said, adding, the search of other gang members is on.
Published 26 July 2011, 08:12 IST