Saravana Bhavan hotels founder and murder case convict P Rajagopal passed away today. He had suffered a cardiac arrest. Earlier, he was admitted in hospital following a heart attack on Saturday, and was said to be in a critical condition and was placed on ventilator support.

P Rajagopal had surrendered before the IV Magistrate court on July 8, and on the same day was admitted to Stanley Medical College hospital. It must be noted that he had visited the court in an ambulance from Vijaya Hospital and was taken out of the court in a stretcher.Rajagopal had many health issues. As said by his advocate, he was diabetic and had issues with walking and his kidneys were weak too.

Earlier, Rajagopal was convicted to ten years rigorous imprisonment for the abduction and murder of Prince Santhakumar in 2001 as he wanted to marry Santhakumar's wife Jeevajyothi as adviced by an astrologer. After Rajagopal's appeal against the 10 years imprisonment, the Madras High court, had revised the sentence to life imprisonment.