NIA's Extensive Operations Lead to Arrest in Ramalingam Murder Case

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted searches at nine locations in Tamil Nadu and apprehended another individual connected to the 2019 murder of Ramalingam, reportedly associated with the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI) terror group, as per an official release on Thursday.

NIA teams embarked on these searches in two districts of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday morning to locate absconding proclaimed offenders linked to the case, which involves the brutal murder of Ramalingam aimed at inciting fear and communal discord.

During the operation, the NIA arrested Imthathullah, owner of Ambur Biryani Hotels in Kodaikanal, accused of "knowingly and voluntarily harbouring" absconding offenders at his hotel outlets since 2021.

Ramalingam, affiliated with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party, was brutally killed on February 5, 2019, in Paku Vinayakam Thoppu, Thanjavur, allegedly by PFI members.

The NIA seized incriminating documents, digital devices, and more during the searches conducted in Dindigul and Tenkasi districts.

Among the absconding individuals allegedly sheltered by Imthathullah, Abdul Majeed and Shahul Hameed were captured by the NIA on January 25 this year, whereas another offender, Mohammed Ali Jinna, remains at large.

The NIA took charge of the investigation from Tamil Nadu Police in March 2019 and filed charges against 18 accused in a Chennai court by August 2019, with six identified as absconders.

In 2021, the NIA detained one absconder, Rahman Sadiq.

In November 2024, the agency tracked down Abdul Majeed and Shahul Hameed to the Poombarai area of Kodaikanal, Dindigul district, detaining alleged harbourer Mohammed Ali Jinnah, marked as the 19th accused in the case.

Officials noted that there are two accused with nearly identical names—Mohammed Ali Jinnah and Mohammed Ali Jinna—involved in the case, with one arrested while the other remains fugitive.

The NIA has declared a reward of Rs 5 lakh each for information on the other Mohammed Ali Jinna, as well as absconding offenders Burhanudeen and Nafeel Hasan, who are all said to be former PFI office bearers from Thanjavur district.

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