Tirunelveli: An alleged notorious gangster, J Raja alias “rocket” Raja, arrested in connection with the murder of an assistant professor was presented before the ‘PCR court’ here on Monday and remanded in police custody for two days.
Arrested by the Chennai police last week along with four of his aides from a hotel, Raja (43), of Anaikatti near Thisayanvilai in Tirunelveli district has several cases of murder and attempted murder cases against him in the southern districts. Raja, an alleged gangster, has also been cited as an accused in the murder of an assistant professor, Senthil Kumar (26) of Palayamkottai three months ago on February 26.
Raja’s elder brother, Balaganesan, an advocate too has been cited as an accused in the murder of Senthilkumar, who, however, was murdered on misidentification as Raja’s target, according to Palayamkottai police.
The gang was targeting not the assistant professor Senthilkumar but his father-in-law,“Kodiyankulam” Kumar, a noted Dalit leader in AIADMK, said sources.
In connection with the assistant professor’s murder, Raja was remanded to judicial custody by producing before the ‘II Additional District Judge (PCR court)’, Mr. C P M Chandra on Monday. The Palayamkottai police, who are investigating the case, however, the same day sought police custody of the accused for five days. Taking up the application for police custody of the accused, the court allowed custody of Raja to Palayamkottai police for two days on May 15 and 16.
It is to be noted that “Rocket” Raja is a prominent caste leader in the southern districts and recently had launched a caste-based political party. He too was said to have been targeted by two of thegangs belonging to two other dominant communities of the South.
