News Tamil Nadu

AIADMK Calls For CBI Probe Following Fatal Encounter Of Armstrong Murder Case Accused

July 14, 2024
The Commune

The police fatally shot one of the eleven suspects in the murder case of Tamil Nadu BSP chief K Armstrong in an incident near Madhavaram on 14 July 2024. The incident occurred when the suspect, identified as K Thiruvengadam (33) from Kundrathur and known for his criminal record, allegedly attempted to attack police officers and flee when he was taken to to recover the weapons used for the murder.

Earlier that morning, Thiruvengadam had been brought to a location near a lake in Madhavaram where the weapons used in Armstrong’s murder were believed to be hidden. At this spot, he purportedly made a move against a policeman, prompting the fatal gunfire. After being shot, Thiruvengadam was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Armstrong had been brutally attacked and killed on 5 July 2024, while he stood outside his house in Perambur. Following his death, eight individuals, including Thiruvengadam, were arrested by Greater Chennai police. The suspects, identified as Ponnai V Balu (39), D Ramu (38), K S Thirumalai (45), D Selvaraj (48), G Arul (33), K Manivannan (25), J Santosh (22), and three others arrested the next day, were apprehended in connection to the murder.

Authorities stated that Armstrong’s killing was in retaliation for the 2023 murder of history sheeter Arcot Suresh near Foreshore Estate. Notably, Ponnai V Balu, one of the arrested suspects, is the younger brother of Suresh. On 11 July 2024, the city police obtained a five-day custody of the suspects for further interrogation.

In this instance, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the General Secretary of AIADMK, suggested that Thiruvenkadam, who was shot today, has raised doubts, prompting him to advocate for the investigation to be transferred to the CBI.

In his official X account EPS stated, “The reports are coming in that one of the surrendered, rowdy Tiruvenkadam in the Bahujan Samaj Party state president Armstrong’s  murder case have been encountered by the police. What was the need to rush someone in police custody early in the morning and shoot them dead? Did the police handcuff the murder accused while taking him to confiscate the weapons? Suspicions arise strongly about who this encounter is to save.”

“As Armstrong’s family and his party suspect that those who surrendered are not real criminals, such actions by the police only reinforce their suspicions. Thiruvenkadam’s statement regarding this case must be sealed and handed over to the court! As the investigation of this case is losing confidence, it should be transferred to the CBI as per the demand of the Armstrong family and the Bahujan Samaj Party.” He added.

BSP Tamil Nadu chief Armstrong, a lawyer by profession, gained prominence when he was elected to the Chennai Corporation Council in 2006. His profile rose further after organizing a large rally in Chennai two years ago, where he extended an invitation to BSP chief Mayawati.

Mayawati, leader of the BSP, has called for a CBI investigation into the attack. She emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order in the state, especially for the safety of vulnerable communities. Criticizing the state government for its handling of the case, she asserted that if the government had been diligent, the perpetrators would have been apprehended by now. Therefore, she urged the state government to transfer the case to the CBI for a thorough investigation.

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