5 held in Thirubhuvanam for ex-PMK functionary murder

The police, who have taken into custody some persons from Thirubhuvanam area immediately after the murder were conducting interrogation, on Thursday, they arrested five persons in connection with the murder.

Ramalingam was hacked to death on the night of February 5 by a gang when he was returning to his house after the day’s work. The police registered a case under various sections of Indian Penal Code, including 120 (B) (Criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder) and various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, against the accused and arrested H Mohammed Riaz (27) of Kurichimalai near Sooriyanarkoil, S Nizam Ali (33) of North Muslim Street, Thirubhuvanam, A Azarudhin (26) of Tiruvidaimarudur, N Mohammed Rizhwan (23) of Nadu Muslim Street, Thirubhuvanam and Y Sarfudeen (60) of North Muslim Street in Thirubhuvanam. Police said all the five, except Sarfudeen, were members of Popular Front of India (PFI).

All those arrested were taken by police to Thanjavur on Thursday to be produced before the District Sessions court here. However, the court officials reportedly told the police officials to produce them at the Judicial Magistrate court at Kumbakonam. 

Following this the accused were taken to Kumbakonam and were produced before the Judicial Magistrate Court 1 in Kumbakonam and the magistrate remanded them to Judicial Custody till February 20. They were later taken to Tiruchy Central Prison.

Meanwhile, H Raja, national secretary of the BJP, visited the house of the slain Ramalingam and consoled the family members. He also demanded all those involved in the murder should be arrested and the car they used should also be seized. He also asked why the leaders like DMK president MK Stalin has been maintaining silence on this issue.

The national president of IUML KM Kader Mohideen appealed the police to release a report on the murder immediately as it has been given a communal colour. He also deputed a team of IUML office-bearers on a fact finding mission.