Swathi murder case: Witnesses positive in identifying Ramkumar

Chennai: The suspect arrested on charges of murdering Swathi, the woman software professional in Nungambakkam railway station last month, was positively identified by the victim's father and a shopkeeper, on Tuesday afternoon.  

The identification parade was conducted under the supervision of Saidapet IX metropolitan magistrate R. Shankar.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, J. Chandran had issued orders for the parade, which was conducted at Puzhal prison as per section 9 of Evidence Act. Sources indicated that Santhana Gopalakrishnan, father of the deceased and a vendor named Sivakumar, who was working on a shop on the platform, positively identified Ramkumar.

The positive identification of Ramkumar by Swathi's father adds credence to the theory of the cops that Ramkumar was the stalker. Speaking to media persons, the metropolitan magistrate Shankar refused to divulge details on as to how many witnesses were present and their particulars.

“I will send details about the parade to the court concerned in a sealed cover immediately. At this juncture, I cannot disclose anything since investigation is under process and in initial stages. The details about the number of people attending the parade cannot be disclosed at this juncture. The lone accused (Ramkumar) cooperated and I have done my work properly. Ramkumar was present and a few who resemble him were also present. The parade was conducted in line with the guidelines laid out by the Supreme Court,” he said.

Ramkumar, the suspect, was lodged in Puzhal Prison after he was arrested from his residence when he reportedly slashed his throat fearing arrest. Swathi, an Infosys employee, was brutally murdered in full public view when she was waiting to board a Chengelpet bound train to Mahindra World City, on June 24.