Student stabbed to death at Puducherry resto-bar during birthday party; 8 arrested

 

By Sumesh Rajan | August 11, 2025

Puducherry, INDIA: A late-night birthday celebration at a popular resto-bar in Puducherry turned deadly when a 22-year-old Tamil Nadu student was stabbed to death and another was critically injured during a clash with staff. Police have arrested eight people, including the bar’s owner and an employee, in connection with the incident.

The violence erupted shortly after midnight on Saturday (August 9) at OMG Resto-Bar on Mission Street. According to police, the victim, Moshik Shanmugapriyan, a native of Sivaganga district and a second-year postgraduate Visual Communication student in Chengalpattu, had travelled from Chennai with friends to celebrate the birthday of his classmate Shajan (23) from Madurai. Around ten friends were in attendance.

After cutting a cake and dancing, the group was asked to leave as closing time approached. However, police said the students, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, refused to leave, leading to an argument. The bar’s owner, Rajkumar, and staff, including bouncers, intervened, escalating the confrontation into a physical fight. 

During the altercation, Villianur Ashokraj, a service captain at the bar, allegedly fetched a kitchen knife and stabbed both Moshik and Shajan. The injured students were rushed to Puducherry Government Hospital in Kadhirkamam, where Moshik was declared brought dead. Shajan was admitted to the intensive care unit and is now out of danger.

Periyakadai police arrested Ashokraj, Rajkumar, and six other staff members. Authorities are also questioning the students and reviewing CCTV footage and other digital evidence.

Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the sequence of events and the level of culpability of each person involved