In a sorrowful culmination of a nine-day search, the grim discovery of Vetri Duraisamy’s body was made in the Sutlej River of Kinnaur district. Vetri, the son of former Chennai City Mayor Saidai Duraisamy and a director of the Tamil film ‘Endraavathu Oru Naal’, met with a tragic accident while traveling from Shimla to Spiti on February 4. The vehicle carrying Vetri, along with co-passenger Gopinath—currently receiving medical treatment—and driver Tenzin, veered off the road into the river. While Gopinath was rescued, Tenzin was found deceased, and Vetri remained missing.
Saidai Duraisamy, in desperation, offered a Rs 1 crore reward for information leading to his son’s location. An extensive operation involving ITBP, NDRF, SDRF Uttarakhand, and district police followed, as they scoured the river’s harsh waters. Evidence, including human brain matter found near the riverside and subject to DNA analysis, heightened apprehensions about Vetri’s fate.
At last, on a somber Monday, divers from the Mahin Nag Association discovered Vetri’s body roughly 3 kilometers from the crash site. His remains were then transported to IGCMH in Shimla for the necessary autopsy procedures. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin extended a heartfelt message of sympathy to the bereaved father, Saidai Duraisamy, recognizing the depth of grief befallen upon him.