Minister’s Car Kills 26-Yr-Old, Vijay’s Govt Under Pressure

In a shocking incident, Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Minister K Jegatheeswari’s car has accidentally killed a 26-year-old youth, turning the incident into a major political controversy and putting pressure on the newly formed Vijay government.

The accident took place on Monday (Sep 7) morning at Kattankulathur near Chennai, when a Maruti Ertiga identified in Tamil media reports as the minister’s private car reportedly hit a two-wheeler. The 26-year-old youth, identified in local reports as Iraiyanbu, died on the spot.

According to Tamil media reports, the minister was travelling towards Chennai to attend the Assembly session. Her official and security vehicles were reportedly part of the convoy, while the Ertiga was said to have been following the convoy.

However, it remains unclear whether Minister Jegatheeswari was inside the car when the accident occurred. While reports have identified it as her personal/private car, her presence inside the vehicle has not been independently confirmed. Police from the Maraimalai Nagar traffic investigation wing reportedly reached the spot, seized the vehicle and launched an investigation.

The incident has also raised questions over the minister’s vehicle ownership. Jegatheeswari’s election affidavit reportedly declared that she owned no motor vehicles. This has added another layer to the controversy, with questions over the vehicle’s ownership, who was driving it and whether the minister was travelling in it.

The accident comes at a sensitive time for CM Vijay, with his government still in its early days. The death of a young man in an accident involving a vehicle reportedly linked to a serving minister could put the new administration under considerable political pressure. The focus is now on the police investigation. More details, including the identity of the driver and whether the minister was inside the vehicle, are awaited.