A history-sheeter was hacked to death in the waiting area of the maternity ward at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital
| Photo Credit: M. Srinath
Four police personnel, who were on night duty at the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital (KMC) police station in Chennai, were placed under suspension for failing to perform their duties effectively inside the hospital on Sunday (January 11, 2026) night, which led to the murder of a history-sheeter on the premises early on Monday (January 12).Further, the Kilpauk Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Inspector of Police were issued memos seeking explanations for their negligence.The murder of a 23-year-old history sheeter on the hospital premises drew sharp criticism from the Opposition. The victim, Adhi of Kolathur, was brutally hacked to death in the early hours of Monday while sleeping in a drunken state at the waiting area outside the maternity ward of KMC.Adhi, who had multiple criminal cases pending against him, had come to the hospital to console his friend Suchitra after her newborn had died.The police said the attack occurred around 3.30 a.m. when a gang, allegedly linked to Suchitra’s husband Surya, surrounded Adhi and attacked him with weapons, killing him on the spot. The assailants fled after the murder.Following the incident, the Kilpauk police recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem. Senior police officials visited the scene and held a preliminary inquiry on Monday. Further investigation is on.‘Tighten security’In the wake of a murder, Health Secretary P. Senthilkumar has directed all deans, joint directors, and chief medical officers to urgently take up a security review of their institutions and to adopt a visitor management system as regulation of visitors is a critical component of hospital security.In an official communication on safety and security at government hospitals, Dr. Senthilkumar said a visitor management software/system had been installed at the Salem Medical College Hospital and was working successfully. He asked all deans of government medical college hospitals to study the Salem or other similar models, and adopt the system most suitable for their institution.In view of Monday’s incident, he asked the deans and joint directors to strengthen, maintain, and ensure continuous functioning of CCTV cameras covering all critical areas. They should tighten security arrangements, including installation of metal detectors in the visitor areas. The security staff should be alerted to report any suspicious movements or activities on hospital premises to the hospital administration and police authorities for immediate follow up action to prevent any unforeseen activities, he said in the communication. Published - January 13, 2026 03:22 pm IST
