After the apprehension of DMK minister Senthil Balaji, there has been a surge of discussion on social media regarding a series of enigmatic deaths involving individuals connected to the DMK first family. Despite previous suspicions raised by opposition parties like ADMK, who believed these deaths to be deliberate killings and pledged to establish a dedicated inquiry, the DMK and its leaders have ultimately been declared innocent. Now, let’s delve into the extensively debated cases that have now faded into oblivion but is now rearing its head in light of Senthil Balaji’s arrest.
Anna Nagar Ramesh
On 17 July 2001, a distressing incident occurred involving the suicide of a close associate of the then Chennai mayor, now Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin. Tragically, the associate, named Ramesh, along with his wife and three children, “took their own lives”. A note written in Tamil, purportedly by Ramesh, indicated that he resorted to such an extreme step due to concerns about his tarnished reputation following a complaint filed against him.
The recovered note referred to a bribery complaint made by a contractor named Deivasigamani against MK Stalin and former highways minister T. Kiruttinan, in which Ramesh was also implicated. K. Parasuraman, a former DMK MP, had already been arrested in connection with this case. According to the complaint, Deivasigamani alleged that a bribe of ₹6 crore was paid to MK Stalin and Kiruttinan through Ramesh to secure a road maintenance contract. This matter was also mentioned by the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalitha, in the assembly on 29 May 2001.
As per the police’s findings, Ramesh (38), his wife Kanchana (28), and their three daughters – Monica (10), Sharmila (nine), and Bindu (11 months) – were found to have consumed a concoction of juice mixed with insecticide, which resulted in their tragic deaths. Ramesh was known to be a trusted aide and right-hand man of MK Stalin. This incident raised significant concerns and caused a considerable impact during that period.
Sadiq Batcha
Sadiq Batcha (c. 1972 – 16 March 2011) was a close associate of A. Raja, who was the Minister of Communications and Information Technology at the time of the case. The 2G spectrum case was a high-profile corruption scandal in India that involved alleged irregularities in the allocation of telecom licenses and spectrum. Sadiq Batcha was the managing director of Green House Promoters Private Limited, a real estate company. He was under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the 2G case. On 16 March 2011, Batcha was found dead in his Chennai residence, and his death was initially reported as a suicide. However, there were suspicions and allegations of foul play surrounding his death.
T. Kiruttinan
In May 2003, the former DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) minister Tha Kiruttinan, popularly known as Tha Ki, met a tragic fate when he was brutally attacked and killed during his morning walk in KK Nagar, in the temple town of Madurai. He was arrested along with party chief Karunanidhi in connection with the alleged scam in building flyovers in Chennai. During the 1990s and early 2000s, he staunchly supported Stalin and actively worked for him, comparable to the dedicated efforts of supporter Velusamy, who played a pivotal role as the Madurai district secretary during Alagiri’s influential era.
The murder of Tha Ki remains a significant and somber chapter in the history of Tamil Nadu politics. The case gained widespread attention as the DMK patriarch’s son, MK Alagiri, was booked as the prime accused during the AIADMK regime at that time. Tha Ki’s unwavering support and on-ground work for Stalin, particularly during the intense rivalry between the siblings, tested the patience of even the battle-hardened Karunanidhi, with some alleging that it became one of the factors that contributed to the incident. The political implications of Tha Ki’s murder were substantial, prompting former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to promise a reinvestigation of the case during the 2011 elections. This occurred despite the case having been transferred to Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh three years earlier at the insistence of the AIADMK to ensure a fair trial. Ultimately, the accused individuals were acquitted by the court, but the echoes of this tragic event continue to reverberate within Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
While it is important to approach these cases with caution and recognize the court’s verdicts of acquittal, the recent arrest of DMK Minister Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case has reignited discussions surrounding these mysterious deaths. Opposition parties and critics of DMK have voiced concerns that Senthil Balaji’s potential testimony could implicate high-profile individuals within the party, including Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Minister Udhayanithi, and CM’s son-in-law Sabareesan. In an interview with journalist Crime Selvaraj, the mood of suspicion and apprehension among critics was highlighted, drawing parallels to the fate of Sadhiq Batcha.
In various instances of perplexing deaths, individuals such as Sadiq Basha, Anna Nagar Ramesh, and Tha Ki played crucial roles as links in cases connected to DMK leaders. These cases have prompted suspicions from ADMK leaders in the past, who believed that the suicides were potentially homicides orchestrated to protect influential figures within the DMK. However, it is noteworthy that in all these cases, the DMK and its leaders were ultimately acquitted of any wrongdoing.
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