Chennai councillor murdered by husband and associates over infidelity suspicion; Three arrested

By Sagaya Fernando | 8 July 2025

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA: In a shocking incident that has sent ripples across Tamil Nadu's political landscape, a 28-year-old municipal councillor was brutally murdered by her husband and his two accomplices in Thirunindravur near Chennai on Thursday 3 July 2025 night. The police have arrested the three accused — including the victim’s husband — on charges of murder.

The victim, S Gomathi, a councillor representing Ward 26 of the Thirunindravur Municipality in Tiruvallur district, was affiliated with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and also served as the chairperson of the municipal taxation appeal committee. She had been elected in 2022 as an independent candidate backed by the VCK and its ally, the DMK. The ward she represented was reserved for women.

According to police sources, Gomathi was allegedly murdered by her husband, A Stephen Raj (34), the town secretary of the VCK, along with his younger brother A Ajith (25) and their associate Johnson alias Anthony (25). All three have been taken into custody and remanded to judicial custody.

Domestic Discord and Jealousy

Investigators revealed that Gomathi had been staying with a relative following ongoing domestic disputes with her husband, stemming from his suspicions of her alleged extramarital relationship. On Thursday 3 July night, around 9 pm, she was seen speaking to a male friend near a rice mill in the Nadukutthagai area of Thirunindravur.

On being alerted, Ajith and Johnson confronted and assaulted Gomathi while the man accompanying her managed to flee. Soon after, Stephen Raj arrived at the location. The trio forcibly took Gomathi in an auto-rickshaw to Stephen’s residence. There, a heated argument broke out between the couple, during which Stephen Raj allegedly stabbed her multiple times, killing her on the spot.

Body Found, Prompt Arrest

Passersby discovered Gomathi’s body near the Thirunindravur subway and informed the police, who arrived at the scene and sent the body for post-mortem to a government hospital. Stephen Raj later surrendered at the Thirunindravur police station and confessed to the crime.

The couple had been married for over a decade and had four children. Police confirmed that they had a history of frequent quarrels, often linked to Stephen Raj’s jealousy and suspicions related to Gomathi’s public interactions, which were part of her duties as a councillor.

A murder case has been registered and further investigations are underway. The brutal killing of an elected woman representative by her own spouse has sparked outrage, with political leaders and women’s rights activists calling for swift justice