Tamil Nadu: NIA chargesheet reveals Tamil film industry executive, Adilingam’s alleged links to LTTE

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet before a special court for NIA cases at Ponnamallee, implicating Lingam, also known as Adilingam, in connection to major LTTE leaders. Lingam, who reportedly operated under the guise of a production executive in the Tamil film industry, stands accused of collaborating with C Gunasekaran and his son Thillipan, both Sri Lankan citizens, in orchestrating a drug and arms network aimed at reviving the LTTE in Sri Lanka and India.

Arrest and Allegations

The Kochi-based NIA team arrested Lingam in August 2023, alleging his involvement in coordinating with the Gunasekaran duo to propagate LTTE activities. According to the NIA, Adilingam facilitated the collection of hawala money derived from the sale of narcotic drugs, which was then funnelled into promoting LTTE operations. The agency asserts that Lingam acted as a pivotal agent in this illegal trade network.

Case Background

This development follows a charge sheet filed by the agency on June 15 last year, implicating 13 individuals for conspiring to carry out terrorist activities and drug trafficking across various parts of Tamil Nadu and the territorial waters of the Indian Ocean. Lingam now joins the roster as the 14th accused in a case that has so far ensnared 16 individuals. The investigation was spurred by a major seizure in 2021, where NIA intercepted a consignment containing over 300 kgs of heroin, five AK47 rifles, and 1000 rounds of Pakistani-made ammunition in an operation conducted in Kochi. Subsequently, nine persons were apprehended, and further inquiries uncovered links to Pakistan-based Haji Salim, a known supplier of drugs and arms.

Charges Against Lingam

A press release issued by the NIA states that Adilingam is charged with conspiring to revive the banned terrorist organization LTTE through illicit trade in narcotic drugs and arms. Additionally, he is accused of acting as a conduit for the collection of hawala money generated from drug sales, which was then directed towards funding LTTE activities. Despite his ostensible role as a production executive in the Tamil film industry, Lingam is alleged to have clandestinely operated as a key operative for major LTTE figures and drug peddlers, including Gunasekaran and Thilipan.

As the legal proceedings progress, the NIA continues its efforts to dismantle networks supporting terrorist activities and illicit trade, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by such operations.