CHENNAI: Police personnel, journalists and motorists fought for space on the footpath and road outside the mortuary of the Government Royapettah Hospital for the second day in a row on Wednesday. The post-mortem examination of P. Ramkumar, the suspect in the murder of techie S. Swathi, originally scheduled for Monday, was supposed to take place on Tuesday. But, it was held up again as the matter was referred to a third judge by a division Bench of the Madras High Court. Mr. Narayana Babu, Dean, Government Royapettah Hospital, said the four-member team of doctors constituted on Monday had been ready all day. Mr. Narayan Babu said, “All arrangements had been made. The magistrate had also come by 9.15 a.m.,” he said. But, the family of Mr. Ramkumar did not come. The hospital would now await court directions and proceed accordingly, he said. The team of doctors comprise two from the Government Kilpauk Hospital, one from the Government Royapettah Hospital and one from the Government Stanley Hospital. A posse of Police personnel who barricaded and guarded the gates of the mortuary were constantly shutting and opening it all through the day as hearses arrived and left. Motorists who were puzzled stared at the crowds as they waited for the traffic pile-up to clear. Sensing an opportunity for good business a few shops on the opposite stretch opened early and a particular snack shop did excellent business. Members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) staged a protest and cadres of the BSP too arrived in the afternoon. After 4 p.m., when news of the court decision came through the crowd slowly started to leave the place.]]>
