A new video released by Isir Rahman Bijli, son of slain former sub-inspector Zakir Hussain, has sparked concern after he claimed that he could be the next target.
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. 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.
Following a detailed investigations, police confirmed that Tawfik alias Krishnamurthy, along with his relatives, was responsible for the murder. On the same day, Tawfik’s younger brother Karthik and his wife Noorjahan’s brother, Akbar Shah, surrendered in the Tirunelveli court. Meanwhile, Tawfik, who was on the run, was later shot dead by police in Rediyarpatti. A special team was dispatched to Thiruvananthapuram to arrest Noorjahan. The incident led to disciplinary actions, including the suspension of Inspector Gopala Krishnan for negligence in handling the case. Additionally, Tirunelveli Town Assistant Commissioner Senthil Kumar was transferred to Coimbatore’s Special Intelligence Unit, with the DGP recommending his suspension.
Amidst these developments, Ijur Rahman Bijli released a video stating that unknown individuals were constantly monitoring his movements. He claimed that a person wearing a helmet was seen filming their house earlier that day and expressed fears that he might be the next target.
Ijur Rahman said, “How is this case going now? It feels like we are the next target. That’s why we will make a video and record what’s going on so that if something happens in the future, this record will be very useful. Just like what happened to my father at the state level, we may go to the national level. Now, why am I telling you this? Today, someone came wearing a helmet and took a video of the house while I was inside. When I went out, he took the vehicle and left. I don’t know who it was. We are not afraid of death, but we are afraid of the responsibility that will come after death. My father and I talk a lot about it. Whatever happens, we have never been afraid of death. It is just a moment of pain for a minute or two, but beyond that, there is a responsibility. Why did we come to this place? The goal is the biggest concern. Why am I telling you this? It has been four days since we filed these FIRs. The fourth culprit has not been caught yet. Even though that woman worked in the Tirunelveli High Court. They have said that they shot and arrested the husband but have not been able to catch the wife. If she was outside, what would she do? She will move for bail and try to dilute the case. She will try to spoil all the evidence right! When are you going to catch her? You are saying today and tomorrow.”
The video which has since gone viral has caused widespread alarm prompting Tamil Nadu police to give protection to his house.
#BREAKING || “சாவு பயம்..'' – தந்தை பாணியில் ஜாகிர் உசேன் மகன் வெளியிட்ட அதிர்ச்சி வீடியோ#nellai #thanthitv #viralvideo pic.twitter.com/1wvKXBq5Dk
— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) March 22, 2025
Notably, before his murder, Zakir Hussain had released a video urging the Chief Minister to take action, alleging that a gang was plotting to kill him and that his police complaints had been ignored. His death, which followed soon after, had already created a major controversy. Now, with his son also raising concerns about threats to his life, the situation has further escalated.
Motive Behind Murder
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. 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.
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.
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