Blunders that keep murder case unsolved

Sources in CB-CID told DT Next it is unlikely that the agency would complete the case within two months, a revised deadline given by the Madras High Court on January 6 this year.

“So many persons wanted to eliminate KN Ramajayam and that has really complicated the case. At one point we were working on as many as 78 motives and each new investigation officer came out with one or the other new angle. All of our officials have been part of the investigation and another senior woman officer of the agency has come up with a new link and investigation is progressing from that angle,” a senior police official attached to CB-CID said. 

KN Ramajayam, brother of former minister KN Nehru, was found murdered with his hands and legs bound and his mouth gagged at Tiruchi on March 29, 2012. Ramajayam had been accused of several criminal acts and negotiating real estate deals. The case was first investigated by the local police and later handed over to the CB-CID. Meanwhile, wife of the deceased has moved the Madras High Court seeking a CBI enquiry. 

CB-CID sources said the local police had botched up the case so badly that many crucial elements of evidence at the scene of crime were left unexamined. “It was shocking to know that the police had not sent the cellophane tapes used for tying the legs and hands of the deceased to the forensic laboratory to collect finger prints. They also left out a liquor bottle lying at the scene of crime and did not bother to send it to the forensic team,” a senior official said. 

According to a senior official, the assailants, after tying up Ramajayam, had forcefully poured liquor into his mouth before murdering him. “The liquor bottle and the cellophane tape could have had  many clues and it is hard to believe that police left them out unknowingly,” the official added. Officials will be happy if the High Court entrusts the case to the CBI. “Many of our senior officials were with the CBI earlier and have served it for many years. Our DGP has been a CBI person for more than 20 years. All these officials have been supervising the investigation of the case but a breakthrough is still not in sight,” another official said.