Collector Dinesh Ponraj Oliver inspected the Tasmac outlet at South East Rampart Road, Thanjavur on Sunday. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A day after two people died due to suspected cyanide poisoning after cDrinking wine at a licensed Tasmac bar in ThanjavurPolice sources claimed that it could be a case of murder in which one of the victims, 36-year-old cab driver Vivek, was targeted.
While the source of the cyanide was said to have been mixed in the liquor and its motive is being probed, sources said Vivek was the first person to consume the “poisoned” liquor.
It is suspected that another victim, Kuppusamy, 68, a daily wage laborer at a fish market, drank leftover liquor from the bottle used by Vivek.
key witness
A third person, who was allegedly offered liquor by Vivek, did not consume it and is now a key witness.
Forensic analysis of the remaining liquor sample confirmed the presence of cyanide, the sources said.
Police said that preliminary investigation revealed that Vivek was having an affair with a woman. They are probing whether he or any of his relatives conspired to kill her. According to the police, there was a strong possibility that cyanide might have been procured from a goldsmith as it is used in the jewelery making process.
A senior police officer said that the authorities are probing whether any goldsmith or anyone associated with the jewelery manufacturing industry had come to the bar on Sunday morning. Since there was no CCTV camera in the bar, the investigators were relying on eyewitnesses and sources.
“A goldsmith or someone related to him may have been involved, this is one of the many suspicions. We are not ruling out the possibility of suicide, said a police officer.
technical evidence
Sources said there was no information that could link the two victims. He said that if it was a suicide, Vivek would not have given a portion of the poisoned liquor to his friend, who had survived.
A list of visitors to the bar on Sunday morning was being prepared and special police teams would look for clues to find out if any of them were involved in the incident. Sources said the police are also looking into technical evidence, including footage from surveillance cameras in the area, to make a breakthrough in the case.
(Help to overcome suicidal thoughts is available on the state health helpline 104, tele-manas 14416 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)