Swathi murder case : Chennai police releases suspect's photo

Chennai, June 30: In a major development, the Chennai police on Thursday, June 30, released a high-resolution image of the prime suspect in the murder of 24-year-old Swathi S, an Infosys employee.

On Monday, the case was transferred from railway police to the Chennai police after Madras High Court's intervention.

A Hyderabad-based digital forensic firm submitted its report on CCTV footage on Tuesday evening, with clearer images of the face of the killer, aged between 25 to 30. He is seen wearing a checked shirt and a jeans.

The suspect appears to be lean and "semi-dark and brown-skinned" and over 5 feet tall.

As per a report published in The Hindu, an offcial was quoted saying as, "Going by the CCTV footage, the suspect enters the premises at 6.31 am and is seen walking out at 6.42 am. He spent just 11 minutes, which includes the time he took to walk to and from the crime scene to the surveillance camera location. Maybe, he spent barely two or three minutes waiting for the victim and attacking her."

On Tuesday, police questioned 100 people and zeroed in on over 20 probable suspects.

Police on Wednesday also traced the active mobile phones in the area where the sensational murder took place.

What Swathi's colleague revealed

Police investigated one of Swathi's colleague in connection with her murder case and she told police that Swathi's killer was stalking her for two days.

Swathi was hacked to death on a platform in Nugambakkam railway station in Chennai at around 6:30 am on June 24.

Swathi told her father about stalker

In an interview, Swathi's bereaved father K Gopalakrishnan said that on May 10 this year, Swathi had complained about a man who used to stalk her.

That's why to ensure her daughter's safety, he used to pick and drop her at the railway station.

Swathi's family has also requested the media not to speculate about their late daughter's character.

Commuter expresses shock

A commuter revealed how he was left stunned by Swathi's murder. He wrote in TNIE, "I don't know her, but I have seen her on many days. To see her lying in a pool of blood was terrifying and horrific. From the circumstances of the murder, it seems that the cruel murderer was an acquaintance of her."

"I don't understand how an acquaintance could inflict cruelty on her, whatever may be the reason, be it a relationship issue, personal enmity, family problems, work place conflict, etc", he further said.

The 25-member team headed by Nungambakkam assistant commissioner of police took over the probe from railway police.

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