In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at more than 25 locations across Tamil Nadu today. This action is part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Kudanthai Ramalingam, a PMK functionary who was killed in 2019.
Ramalingam had confronted and opposed the actions of certain Muslim leaders, who he alleged were involved in converting people to Islam. The individuals in question were reportedly members of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and were engaged in Dawah activities, which included efforts to convert Hindus to Islam. Ramalingam’s confrontation with these individuals and his challenge for them to sport sacred ash on their faces to demonstrate social harmony led to his brutal murder on February 5, 2019.
The NIA, which has taken over the investigation, has been actively pursuing leads in this case. In July, the agency conducted searches at 21 locations, including the residences of five proclaimed offenders and suspects in Tamil Nadu. The NIA has announced a reward of Rs. 5 lakh each for information leading to the whereabouts or arrest of these absconding individuals, totaling Rs. 25 lakh.
So far, the police have arrested several individuals in connection with the case, including Mohammed Ryaz, Nizam Ali, Sarbuddin, Mohammed Rizwan, and Azaruddin. Subsequently, the NIA arrested an additional 13 individuals.
In August 2019, the NIA filed a charge sheet against 18 individuals, including five absconding Muslims, before the NIA Special Court in Chennai. These five absconding accused were subsequently declared proclaimed offenders. The prosecution of the others arrested in the case is currently underway.
Previously, the NIA conducted raids in districts such as Thanjavur, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Tirupur, Villupuram, Trichy, Pudukottai, Coimbatore, and Mayiladuthurai. These operations led to the seizure of several digital devices, including mobile phones, SIM cards, and memory cards, as well as important documents.
Today’s raids focused on premises in various locations including Therazhunthur, Vadakkarai, and KK Nagar in Mayiladuthurai district; Vazhavanthan Kottai in Trichy district; and Muthupettai and Kambur in Tiruvarur district. Additionally, searches were conducted in Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district. Notably, the raids targeted the homes of former district secretaries of PFI, Nawas Khan and Mohammed Faizal, in Vadakkarai Millathur area near Kuttalam.
Further raids were carried out in Thirubuvanam, Thirumangalakudi, Melakaveri, and Karupoor in Thanjavur district. Premises belonging to an advocate in Tiruvarur and the district secretary of SDPI in Tiruverumbur in Trichy district were also searched.
