A retired police officer Zakir Hussain who previously served in the security wing of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was brutally murdered in Tirunelveli. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Incident Details
Zakir Hussain Bijli (58), a resident of Totti Balatheru in Tirunelveli, was a Muttawalli (caretaker of Waqf property) of the Murdeen Jahan Taikka descendants. Zakir Hussain, a retired assistant inspector, had served in the Tamil Nadu police for 25 years before opting for voluntary retirement. Notably, he was part of former CM Karunanidhi’s security team and later worked under current CM M.K. Stalin when the latter was Chennai’s Mayor and Minister for Rural Development & Local Administration.
On the morning of 18 March 2025, while returning home after offering prayers at the Samiya Thaika mosque during Ramzan fasting, Zakir was attacked near the Town Kajah Beedi office. Unknown assailants, armed with sickles, fatally struck him on the head before fleeing the scene. He succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
Police officials arrived shortly after being informed and have since been reviewing CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators. Two individuals have surrendered in connection with the crime, while further investigations continue.
Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife Ajines Nisha, son Isir Rahman (working in Malaysia), and daughter Mosiza Piyas.
Motive Behind the Murder
Authorities suspect that a long-standing land dispute over a Waqf land may have played a role in the killing. Reports indicate that Zakir had ongoing tensions with a local youth, Toufiq, who had converted to Islam and was allegedly involved in a dispute over a 30-cent waqf property. Zakir had previously been arrested under the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act and Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act concerning this matter but was out on bail. The disagreement escalated as Zakir had been actively gathering details related to the property. Both Zakir and Toufiq had previously lodged complaints against each other over the land issue.
The dispute is said to have stemmed from a plot of land adjacent to Zakir’s property, which was owned by Toufiq’s wife. Zakir allegedly occupied the land, asserting that it was Waqf property, whereas Toufiq’s family maintained that it had been privately gifted to her by her mother. The conflict intensified over time and is believed to have culminated in Zakir’s murder.
The police confirmed that Zakir had built a shed on the disputed land, leading to legal cases between both parties. Officials also revealed that a case was registered against Zakir in January 2025. The murder is being treated as a result of the prolonged civil dispute over the property.
The police are investigating whether the attack was linked to this dispute or had other motives. The incident has heightened tensions in the Tirunelveli Town and Pettai areas, prompting heavy police deployment.
Following his murder, a February 2025 video recorded by Zakir resurfaced, in which he claimed his life was in danger. In the video, Zakir alleged that around 20 to 30 individuals were threatening him, singling out Toufiq as the primary instigator. He accused Toufiq of using his conversion for financial gain, alleging that he had married a woman after pressuring her to divorce her first husband to acquire land.
Zakir also accused two police officers—Inspector Gopalakrishnan and Sub-Inspector Senthil Kumar—of ignoring his complaints and enabling threats against him.
Political Reactions
The incident has sparked a political controversy, with opposition leaders blaming the state government for law and order failures. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) raised the issue in the Assembly, demanding action against the officials who failed to act on Zakir’s complaints.
BJP state president K. Annamalai criticized the DMK government, stating,
“Law and order in Tamil Nadu has collapsed to the extent that even a retired police officer’s pleas for protection are ignored. The police only act against those who criticize the government. How many more lives will be lost due to this administration’s incompetence?”
Responding to the criticism, CM M.K. Stalin assured a fair investigation, stating that his government would not allow lawlessness and that all those responsible would be brought to justice.
Another Police Officer Charred To Death
A partially burnt body discovered near an irrigation tank along the Madurai-Thoothukudi Inner Ring Road on 18 March 2025 has been identified as Malai Arasan, a cop serving in the special unit of Sivaganga Kalaiyar Kovil police station. The body was found under the Perungudi police station limits and has been sent to Government Rajaji Hospital for examination.
Authorities suspect that the 35-year-old officer may have been burned elsewhere before his body was dumped at the location. Perungudi police have registered a case of suspicious death and launched an investigation.
Tragic Events Preceding His Death
Malai Arasan’s wife had been seriously injured in a road accident on 1 March and was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Chintamani. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries five days later.
According to police, Malai Arasan had reportedly visited the Chintamani hospital to collect documents, including the bill receipt related to his wife’s treatment. However, his body was later discovered in the Echaneri area, approximately two kilometers away from the hospital, raising suspicions.
Family Alleges Murder, Blocks Road in Protest
While police are investigating whether Malai Arasan’s death was a suicide or the result of foul play, his relatives strongly suspect that he was murdered. They claim that he may have been attacked while he was with his wife and insist that the fact that his body was found in a different location from where it was burned indicates a deliberate killing.
Alleging a cover-up, the family members staged a roadblock protest near the Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital, demanding a thorough investigation and justice for Malai Arasan. The protest led to significant tension in the area as authorities attempted to pacify the agitated relatives. The case remains under active investigation.
(With Inputs From Samayam Tamil, Dinakaran and India Today)
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