MTC bus driver killed due to dispute over dancing during Vinayagar Chaturthi procession in Chennai

Srinivasan, the deceased MTC bus driver | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement A 44-year-old man, who worked as an Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus driver, died after being assaulted by a group following a scuffle over dancing in the street during Vinayagar Chaturthi procession at Ramapuram in Chennai in the early hours of Tuesday (September 15, 2026). Ramapuram police have arrested five suspects in connection with the incident.Devotees of the Arulmigu Raja Ganapathi Temple in Venkateshwara Nagar took out a procession around 8 p.m. on Monday (September 14). When the procession reached 13th Street, a few residents objected to the devotees dancing as the Vinayagar chariot passed through the street. A verbal altercation then broke out between the two groups, with residents allegedly saying that outsiders had no right to use the street.Police personnel deployed for the procession intervened and dispersed the groups after holding talks with them. However, after the procession ended, around midnight, a group led by one Bhuvanesh went to the house of a resident, Anand, on 2nd Main Road and called him outside. An altercation subsequently broke out.During the altercation, Anand allegedly assaulted Srinivasan, the MTC bus driver, by striking him on the chest. Srinivasan collapsed and lost consciousness. Others took him on a two-wheeler to a nearby private hospital, where he was given first aid. He was then referred to the ESI Hospital in K.K. Nagar for further treatment. However, doctors declared him brought dead.Ramapuram police registered a case and arrested five people from the two groups in connection with the incident. Further investigation is under way. Published - September 15, 2026 12:41 pm IST