Ramalingam murder: NIA names 18 in chargesheet

CHENNAI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a chargesheet naming 18 people in the attack and murder of Ramalingam, a resident of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, on February 5. He was killed after he argued with some Muslims who were allegedly trying to convert Hindus in his village to Islam.
According to the NIA, the accused had murdered Ramalingam with the intention to terrorise people and deter anyone from interfering with their proselytisation activity.The murder had caused communal disharmony and created terror in the minds of a section of people, the NIA chargesheet said. The accused are Mohamed Asarudeen , Mohamed Riyas Nijam Ali, Sarbudeen , Mohamed Rizwan , Mohamed Thoufik , Mohamed Farvees, Thowheeth Batcha , Mohammed Ibrahim , all residents of Thanjavur district; Mohamed Hasan Kuthous , resident of Karaikal, Puducherry; Rahman Sadiq , Mohammad Ali Jinna , Abdul Majith , Bhurkhanudeen , Shahul Hameed , Nafeel Hasan , Mohamed Faruk , Myden Ahamed Shali , all residents of Thanjavur district. While six of them are on the run, rest are lodged in prison.
Ramalingam was allegedly murdered by the accused who were activists or leaders of the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), a political party, for interfering in their religious propagation activity at Pakku Vinayagam Thopu village in Thiruvidaimarudur.
Batcha, Abdul Majith, Bhurkhanudeen and Shahul Hameed had allegedly attacked Ramalingam and caused his death while Thoufik and Farvees had facilitated by tracking the victim’s movements.
Ibrahim had provided the vehicle, while Kuthous had harboured the assailants and reconnaissance team, after the incident, NIA alleged.
The others had helped in the crime, NIA said.