Representative Image NEW DELHI: National Investigation Agency ( NIA ) has arrested one M Mohammed Ali Jinnah in Tamil Nadu ’s Ramalingam murder case for knowingly harbouring a proclaimed offender and absconder. Ramalingam was hacked to death on February 5, 2019, in Paku Vinayakam Thoppu, Thanjavur, by members and office-bearers of the Popular Front of India (PFI), which has since been declared as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The murder was allegedly an act of revenge since Ramalingam had intervened in dawah work or proselytization carried out by the PFI dawah team despatched from Arivagam, Theni to forcibly convert underprivileged persons in Paku Vinayakam Thoppu.
Investigation established that the violence was unleashed to strike terror among the opponents of the PFI outfit. Arrested accused Jinnah, proprietor of Poombarai Palace, had given shelter to absconder Shahul Hameed in his cottage at Kodaikanal in Dindigul district. Shahul remained in hiding in the cottage for a considerable period of time before NIA, acting on credible information, searched the property.
After extensive investigation, NIA had chargesheeted 18 accused, including five absconders, in the case on August 2, 2019 before the NIA Special Court, Chennai. Besides Shahul, the other proclaimed offenders/absconders are Abdul Majith, Bhurkanudeen and Nafeel Hasan. NIA has announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to their arrest.
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