27 students intimidate murder witnesses at court, arrested

Venkataraman, owner of a brick kiln, was murdered by bike-borne men when he was waiting in front of his house for his driver to get the car to reach the brick kiln. He was legally pursuing the murder of his brother Thangaraj, who was the former village panchayat president of Melmanambedu village, despite threats. The police said that rival camp eliminated Venkataraman last year as he refused to stay away from the case. Thangaraj’s was murdered when he went for a morning walk at his village a few years ago.

On Tuesday, the Vellavedu police personnel produced five witnesses to give their statements before the judge in connection with Venkataraman’s murder. When they were waiting, at least 27 youngsters entered the court premises tried to intimidate them. After one of the witnesses, Gajendran (public witness number 7 in the police chargesheet), informed police personnel at the court hall, they nabbed all the 27 youngsters and inquired them. When questioned, the youngsters failed to state a valid reason for assembling inside the court campus.

During investigation, the police found that they were pursuing various degree courses at Nandanam Government Arts and Science College and had assembled at the court as per the direction a student, identified as Vimal.

The police said that Vimal’s uncles, Rajesh and Dinesh, were arrested in connection with Venkataraman’s murder. The idea was to intimidate the witnesses so that they would not give statement against the killers. The Tiruvallur police registered a case based on a complaint filed by Gajendran and they arrested all the 27 students.