A Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Chennai on September 25, 2026, sentenced four Popular Front of India (PFI, now banned) members to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of Hindu Munnani spokesperson C. Sasikumar.
On September 22, 2016, Sasikumar, who was the Coimbatore district spokesperson for Hindu Munnani, was hacked to death near Thudiyalur by a gang, triggering communal tensions and allegations of ‘Saffron killing’.
C. Sasikumar of Subramaniyampalayam near Thudiyalur was hacked to death by a four-member gang when he was returning home on his motorcycle near the Sakkara Vinayaga temple at Subramaniyampalayam village.
"கோயம்புத்தூரில் இந்து முன்னணி செய்தி தொடர்பாளர் சசிகுமார் கொலை வழக்கு – 4 பேருக்கு ஆயுள் தண்டனை!"🚨
தண்டனை பெற்ற PFI அமைப்பைச் சேர்ந்த பயங்கரவாதிகளின் பெயர்கள்:-
🔻 சதாம் உசேன்
🔻 சுபேர்
🔻 முபார்க்
🔻 ரபிக் அல் ஹாசன் pic.twitter.com/2OdM3cRuNv— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) September 25, 2026
After the incident, violence erupted in six districts, including Coimbatore city and rural areas, with more than 300 FIRs registered by the police. The case, which was first handled by Thudiyalur police, was transferred to the SID (Special Investigation Division) of CB-CID in October 2016.
However, considering the gravity of the offence and the evidence found during the investigation, the Central Government entrusted the case to the NIA in 2018.
NIA, in its charge sheet, claimed that it was a targeted killing intended to create terror among a section of society and trigger communal unrest.
It said, “B Sadham alias Sadham Hussain and S Subair of Coimbatore were active members of PFI and conspired along with other accused Abu alias Abuthagir and Mohammed Mubarak, also PFI men, to kill Sasikumar, a spokesperson of Hindu Munnani, Coimbatore district, to instil a sense of fear among non-Muslims or non-believers of Islam.”
During the investigation, NIA raided the houses of the accused on March 18 and retrieved mobile phones, compact discs and PFI-related material.
A NIA release dated September 25 says, “In a significant landmark judgment, the Special Court for NIA, Poonamallee, Chennai, today convicted and sentenced four active cadres of the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of Sasikumar.”
04 PFI Cadres convicted in HINDU MUNNANI Leader Sasikumar Murder case pic.twitter.com/wjpPHTZCih
— NIA India (@NIA_India) September 25, 2026
It said, “The convicted individuals — Sadam Hussain, Subari, Mubark and Mohammed Rafique Hassan — have each been sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 30,000. This verdict marks the NIA’s first conviction involving PFI operations since the organisation was officially banned by the Government of India.”
NIA said, “The killing of Sasikumar sparked widespread violence across six districts, including Coimbatore city and Coimbatore rural, leading to the registration of over 300 FIRs by authorities. The case was handed over to NIA on 22 January 2018 and was re-registered as RC-03/2018/NIA/DLI.”
NIA said its investigation proved that the accused persons, being active members of PFI, entered into a criminal conspiracy and executed the targeted killing.
After meticulous investigation, NIA filed a charge sheet and two supplementary charge sheets against five accused persons.
The trial began in 2019, during which 75 prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses were examined.
The trial has now culminated in the conviction of four accused for offences under Sections 302 and 120-B of the IPC and Sections 15, 18 and 20 of the UAPA.
The Special Court acquitted one co-accused, identified as Abu alias Syed Abuthagir. NIA is currently reviewing the judgment and exploring all available legal avenues to challenge the acquittal in the appellate court.
Hindu Munnani welcomed the verdict in a statement on X, saying, “The court that firmly upholds justice! Death blow to terrorists!! Life imprisonment for the murderers of hero Sasikumar!! The Hindu Front welcomes the verdict.”
