History-Sheeter David Alias Udhayakumar Hacked to Death Near Suramangalam Moments After Signing Bail Attendance in Salem

Daring Morning Ambush Shakes Suramangalam

A notorious history-sheeter was hacked to death in broad daylight near Suramangalam in Salem on Monday, minutes after he had completed his daily appearance at a crime branch office as a condition of his anticipatory bail. The victim has been identified as David alias Udhayakumar, 42, a resident of Jagir Ammapalayam.

According to police, David had signed attendance for the 18th consecutive day at the crime branch office near Five Roads on Monday and left on his two-wheeler around 10.30am. A motorcycle-borne gang chased and intercepted him near Suramangalam before launching the attack.

'He Died on the Spot'

The assailants showed no hesitation, striking repeatedly with deadly weapons before fleeing the scene.

"The gang members repeatedly attacked him with deadly weapons before fleeing. He died on the spot," an officer at the Suramangalam police station said.

Police recovered the body and sent it to the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital for postmortem. A case has been registered and a search is under way for the three unidentified attackers. Investigators said the motive behind the murder was not known.

A Long Criminal Record

David was involved in real estate businesses and had several criminal cases pending against him, including murder, attempt to murder and assault cases. He was an accused in the 2019 murder of Madhes, a warder at the Salem Central Prison — a case linked to a dispute involving a woman that is being tried by a court in the city.

More recently, David had been named in a land fraud case being investigated by the Salem city central crime branch police. He secured anticipatory bail in that matter, and his daily sign-in at the crime branch office near Five Roads was one of the conditions imposed on him. Monday marked his 18th straight day of compliance with that condition — and his last.

Pattern of Attacks on History-Sheeters

The killing adds to a string of violent attacks on history-sheeters in the region. In September 2026, Nellore police arrested two suspects — Mannepalli Sunil and Mannepalli Sai — for attempting to murder history-sheeter Marlapati Pradeep by throwing chilli powder at him and slitting his throat in Nawabpet, an assault that triggered panic among local residents.