In a shocking incident, the President of the Vijay Sethupathi fans association, R Manikandan, 30, residing in Govinda Salai in the town limits in Puducherry, was murdered brutally on Sunday night by a gang of four among whom also included his brother-in-law. The police have formed a team to nab those involved in the crime including the brother-in-law of the deceased, who goes by the name of Rajasekar. 

In a statement, the police said Manikandan and Rajasekar from Attupatti had formed a fans club for Vijay Sethupathi along with their friends some time back. However, a rift ensued between the two when Manikandan was chosen as the President of the Vijay Sethupathi fans association, while Rajasekar was not given any post. Soon after, Rajasekar had started a fan club of his own in the actor’s name and begun functioning it independently. 

Manikandan along with a few other members of the fan club invited Rajasekar for a discussion in the hopes of dissolving the association on Sunday night. Their meeting didn't turn out to yield any positive results after which Manikandan had decided to leave for his home on his two-wheeler. However, a gang armed with sharp weapons had reportedly been waiting for Manikandan and attacked him brutally as he crossed the Nellithope market, which led to him sustaining serious injuries to his head. 

Locals informed the police about the violent incident that had transpired after which Manikandan was rushed to the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post-graduate Institute for treatment. However, Manikandan succumbed to his injuries and passed away later. A case has since been registered by the Orleanpet police against Rajasekar and those involved in the murder by Manikandan's wife, M Vijayakumari. The news of the hacking of Manikandan has left fans of Vijay Sethupathi shocked, with many taking to social media to offer their condolences.