NIA Conducts Multiple Searches in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry in Ramalingam Murder Case
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches on the premises of persons suspected to be closely associated with five absconding proclaimed offenders (POs) across 15 locations in Tamil Nadu and one location at Karaikal in connection with Ramalingam murder case being probed by it.
The NIA had filed a charge-sheet against 18 accused, including the five absconding accused, on August 2 2019, before the NIA Special Court in Chennai. The NIA Court had declared these five absconding accused - Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Abdul Majith, Bhurkanudeen, Shahul Hameed and Nafeel Hasan as proclaimed offenders.
The NIA has announced a reward of Rs. 5 lakh to the general public or anyone providing information leading to the arrest of the five absconders or PO.
Ramalingam was assassinated on February 5, 2019 in Paku Vinayakam Thoppu, Thanjavur by members and office bearers of the PFI, who had avenged and conspired to kill him as the victim had intervened in the dawah work or proselytization carried out by PFI dawah team despatched from Arivagam, Theni to forcibly convert underprivileged persons in Paku Vinayakm Thoppu.
Investigation established that the violence was unleashed to strike fear among the opponents of the PFI outfit. PFI has been declared as an ‘unlawful association’ under UAPA by the Government of India on 28th September 2022 and Arivagam, Theni has already been attached as proceeds of terrorism under Section 25 of UA(P) Act-1967.
The searches conducted in the districts of Thanjavur, Trichy, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur and Karaikal led to the seizure of several digital devices and documents connected to the case. Further investigations are continuing in the case.