NIA arrests two absconding accused in PFI related 2019 Ramalingam murder case
The two are involved in the murder and are members of PFI : NIA
New Delhi, January 29
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two absconding accused persons in the 2019 Tamil Nadu Ramalingam murder case linked with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).
The arrested accused have been identified as Abdul Majeeth and Shahul Hameed, both hailing from Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. NIA investigations have revealed the two to be involved in the murder and members of PFI.
The duo had conspired with other accused persons near the Periyapalli mosque in Thirubhuvanam on 5th February 2019 to chop the hands of Ramalingam with the intent to create fear among the people and spread communal hatred.
NIA, which took over the investigation from the Tamil Nadu police in March 2019, had chargesheeted 18 accused before the NIA Special Court, Chennai, in the case in August 2019.
Six of the 18 chargesheeted accused were absconding, and a reward of Rs. 5 lakh each had been announced for information about them. The absconders were also declared Proclaimed Offenders (POs) by the NIA Special Court.
In 2021, NIA had arrested one of the six absconders, identified as Rahman Sadiq. In November 2024, the agency had traced Abdul Majeeth and Shahul Hameed to Poombarai area of Kodaikanal, Dindigul district, and arrested one harbourer, Mohammed Ali Jinah, who was the 19th accused identified in the case. Jinah was later remanded to judicial custody.
Abdul and Shahul, however, had then managed to escape and were finally arrested today by the NIA, which continues to investigate the case and search for the remaining absconders.
