The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached the property of Subair, a member associated with the Popular Front of India (PFI), in connection with the 2016 murder of Hindu Munnani functionary Covai Sasikumar. The NIA announced the attachment on its social media handle X, following an order from the NIA Special Court in Poonamallee, Chennai.
Subair, along with other co-accused Saddam Hussain, Mubarak, and Rafiqul Hassan, was implicated in the brutal killing of C. Sasikumar, who served as the spokesperson for Hindu Munnani in Coimbatore. Sasikumar was attacked with lethal weapons while returning home from his party office on his bike on September 22, 2016. The attack occurred in front of a Vinayakar temple in Coimbatore, where Sasikumar sustained grievous injuries and later succumbed to them.
The NIA took over the case from the Coimbatore police and determined that the murder was the result of a conspiracy hatched by PFI members. All five accused have been charge-sheeted by the NIA.
The property in question, purchased by Subair in 2012, was transferred to his mother in 2020 via a gift settlement deed. The NIA considers this transfer, which occurred after the crime and the filing of the charge sheet, as an attempt to thwart legal action against Subair. The agency’s investigation revealed that this transfer was an effort to evade legal consequences related to the murder.
Property of PFI Member Attached by NIA in Coimbatore Hindu Front Leader Murder Case pic.twitter.com/pKNvB5m6TA
— NIA India (@NIA_India) June 7, 2024
The NIA statement noted that, “In 2023, the NIA filed a petition seeking attachment and forfeiture of the said property under section 33 of the UA(P) Act. The special court, seeing merit in the application, ordered the attachment. The trial in this case commenced in 2022 and is ongoing.”
Subair, along with Saddam Hussain, Mubarak, and Rafiqul Hassan, were implicated in the brutal killing of Sasikumar on September 22, 2016. Sasikumar was attacked while returning home on his bike, sustaining fatal injuries in front of a Vinayakar temple in Coimbatore.
In another significant case, the NIA has intensified its search for five accused in the 2019 killing of PMK functionary V. Ramalingam in Kumbakonam. Ramalingam, the Thirubuvanam town secretary of PMK, was murdered on February 5, 2019, after questioning some Muslims who were allegedly attempting to convert locals. Video footage from the time showed Ramalingam applying sacred ash to their foreheads and putting on a skull cap, actions that reportedly angered them. He was later hacked to death by a gang of Muslim fundamentalists.
The NIA previously filed a charge sheet against 18 individuals, including the five absconding accused, on August 2, 2019. The NIA Special Court in Chennai declared these five as proclaimed offenders.
According to the NIA, the suspects murdered Ramalingam in an “extremely violent jihadi manner” after he confronted a Dawah Team from Arivagam, Theni, which has now been attached as proceeds of terrorism under section 25 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. NIA investigations revealed that the violence was intended to instill fear among opponents and incite communal hatred. The Government of India declared PFI an ‘unlawful association’ under UAPA on September 28, 2022.
To expedite the capture of the accused, the NIA has announced a reward of Rs. 5 lakhs each for information leading to their arrest. The NIA initially offered Rs. 1 lakh but increased the reward due to the suspects’ elusive nature. Informants’ identities will be kept confidential. The NIA has provided contact numbers (9499945100, 9962361122, and 044-26615100) for those with information.
திருப்புவனம் ராமலிங்கம் கொலை வழக்கு : துப்பு கொடுத்தால் ரூ.25 லட்சம் பரிசு… கோவையில் NIA போஸ்டர்#Murder| #NIA | #Coimbatorehttps://t.co/3uFpv49pfO
— Zee Tamil News (@ZeeTamilNews) May 26, 2024
The suspects are identified as H. Mohammed Ali Jinnah (34) of Thirubuvanam, M. Abdul Mjaith (37) of Kumbakonam, M. Bhurkhanudeen (28) of Papanasam, T. Shahul Hameed (27) of Thanjavur, and R. Nafeez Hassan (27) of Thanjavur.
Wall posters featuring their names and photographs have been placed in strategic locations across Tamil Nadu, including Coimbatore. Posters can be seen near the city police commissionerate, police canteen, district headquarters police office premises, and other public gathering places. The NIA is collaborating with state police to ensure these posters are displayed prominently at all district headquarters.
Ramalingam was killed on February 5, 2019, after confronting the Dawah Team’s attempts to convert underprivileged individuals. Video footage showed Ramalingam applying sacred ash to team members’ foreheads and donning a skull cap, actions that incited the attack. The NIA has charged 18 individuals in the case, and the five suspects remain at large.
கும்பகோணம் பாமக பிரமுகர் இராமலிங்கம் கொலையில் தொடர்புடையவர்கள் குறித்து தகவல் கொடுப்பவர்களுக்கு தலா 5 லட்சம் சன்மானம் வழங்கப்படும் – தேசிய புலனாய்வு முகமை அறிவிப்பு.#NIA #Ramalingam #MurderCase #rewards pic.twitter.com/zKJVytUQPp
— Samy Kuppusamy (@SamyKuppusamy1) November 16, 2021
NIA has already filed the charge sheet against at least 19 suspects in this case. The missing five, who have gone underground, hinder the progress of the case.
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