Alleging official misconduct, the family of VSL Kumar, also known as Murugaiyan, has sought refuge at the Director General of Police (DGP) office in Chennai, claiming threats and intimidation for seeking justice for VSL Kumar who allegedly got murdered for complaint against illegal sand mining.
VSL Kumar’s daughter, accompanied by her mother, spoke to press reporters at the DGP’s office, recounting the events leading up to their desperate plea for protection. According to the daughter, the father was murdered on 31 October 2023, allegedly by individuals identified as Mohan and Samiravi. Disturbingly, despite filing a complaint at the Superintendent of Police (SP) office, no tangible action had been taken till date.
The daughter explained that the family’s troubles began when Kumar voiced his opposition to illegal sand mining activities in their district. They accused Mohan and Samiravi of being involved in the illicit trade and emphasized their father’s staunch stance against it.
“We complained about the murderers, Mohan and Samiravi, in the SP office, but no action was taken,” the daughter told reporters. “Thiruvaiyaru DSP Ramadoss visited our home, urging us to retract the names from the complaint. Fearing for our lives due to continuous threats, we have sought refuge here at the DGP’s office.”, they added.
மணல் கடத்தல் பற்றி புகார் கொடுத்ததால் எனது தந்தையை கொன்று விட்டார்கள். அவர்கள் பற்றி புகார் கொடுத்ததால் திருவையாறு டிஎஸ்பி யே எங்களை மிரட்டுகிறார். என சென்னை டிஜிபி அலுவலகத்தில் தஞ்சம் அடைந்துள்ள தாயும் இரண்டு மகள்களும். இதுதான் திராவிட மாடல் ஆட்சி……. pic.twitter.com/9plTK9NHe8
— Krishnaraj (@Krishna73674119) December 11, 2023
The wife of the victim shed light on the roots of the conflict, stating, “There was a quarry issue between my husband and Mohan, Samiravi. My husband, a farmer, stood against illegal sand mining activities in the region.”
Accompanying the family, their advocate revealed disturbing details about the alleged negligence and misconduct by law enforcement. The advocate claimed that Kumar had informed the police about continuous threats to his life, but instead of taking action, the police warned him against getting involved in sand mining issues and advised him to compromise with the suspects.
The advocate further disclosed that Kumar was murdered on 31 October 2023, after filing a complaint against the murder suspects. Shockingly, no action was taken, and Thiruvaiyaru DSP Ramadoss reportedly visited the family’s home on 7 December 2023. The DSP allegedly coerced the family into signing blank papers and issued threats, emphasising that they should comply with the police’s directives.
It is noteworthy that the Enforcement Directorate is investigating the illegal sand mining scam in Tamil Nadu and put forth a figure of ₹4,730 crores as the value of the smuggled sand. A suspended DMK worker Gudiyatham Kumaran earlier accused DMK Minister Duraimurugan and his son of looting ₹60,000 crores in sand mining.
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