NIA Raids in Tamil Nadu for Ramalingam Murder Case Investigation
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli on Thursday. These searches are part of the ongoing investigation into the 2019 murder of Ramalingam. Ramalingam had opposed the Dawah work of the Popular Front of India (PFI), which was allegedly involved in converting Hindus to Islam.
In July last year, the NIA raided 21 locations, including the homes of five absconding suspects in Tamil Nadu. In August 2019, the NIA filed charges against 18 individuals, including the five absconding suspects, in the NIA Special Court in Chennai. The court declared these five individuals as proclaimed offenders.
Ramalingam was murdered on February 5, 2019, in Paku Vinayakam Thoppu, Thanjavur, allegedly by members of the PFI. The NIA has offered a reward of Rs 5 lakhs for information leading to the arrest of any of the five absconders. The prosecution of others already arrested in the case is ongoing.
The NIA’s raids in various districts, including Thanjavur, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Tirupur, Villupuram, Trichy, Pudukottai, Coimbatore, and Mayiladuthurai, led to the seizure of several digital devices and documents. According to the NIA, the violence was instigated to instill fear among opponents of the PFI and to incite communal hatred and violence. The PFI was declared an ‘unlawful association’ by the Indian government on September 28, 2022.
Doubts Revealed
NIA -: NIA stands for National Investigation Agency. It is a special police force in India that investigates serious crimes like terrorism.
Raids -: Raids are sudden visits by police or investigators to search a place for evidence or to catch someone involved in a crime.
Tamil Nadu -: Tamil Nadu is a state in the southern part of India. It has many cities and towns, including Tiruchirappalli.
Ramalingam -: Ramalingam was a person who was murdered in 2019. He opposed the activities of a group called the Popular Front of India (PFI).
Dawah -: Dawah is an Arabic word that means inviting people to learn about Islam. It involves spreading the teachings of Islam.
Popular Front of India (PFI) -: The Popular Front of India (PFI) is an organization in India. It was declared illegal by the Indian government in 2022.
Absconding -: Absconding means running away to avoid being caught or arrested by the police.
Seizure -: Seizure means taking away something, usually by law enforcement, because it might be used as evidence in a crime.
Digital devices -: Digital devices are electronic gadgets like computers, smartphones, and tablets that can store information.
Unlawful association -: An unlawful association is a group that is banned by the government because it is involved in illegal activities.