Annamalai demands CBI probe into four double-murder cases in Kongu region
Former BJP State president K. Annamalai on Monday urged the State government to transfer all four double-murder cases in the Kongu region to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing the agency's expertise in handling complex cases for over three decades. He also issued an ultimatum to the police to apprehend the accused in the couple's murder case in Erode district within two weeks, failing which he threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike in Sivagiri starting May 20.
A demonstration was held in Sivagiri to condemn the brutal murder of Ramasamy (75) and Bhakiyammal (65) of Vilankattuvalasu, near Sivagiri, on May 1.
Speaking at the protest, Mr. Annamalai said the heinous killing of the elderly couple was not an isolated incident, and added that double murders had previously occurred in Kuppuchipalayam (Paramathi Velur), Murungatholuvu (Chennimalai), and Semalaigoundanpalayam (Tiruppur). 'The police have failed to apprehend the accused in all four cases. Double murders are occurring once in every six months. The Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, should hand over these cases to the CBI, which has the technical expertise and surveillance capabilities to crack them,' he said.
Mr. Annamalai alleged that the State government had, in 2023, withdrawn the general consent given to the CBI to investigate cases in Tamil Nadu without prior permission, primarily to shield the then DMK Minister V. Senthil Balaji. 'Now, the State must reinstate that consent and allow the CBI to take over these four cases,' he added.
Claiming that law and order had completely deteriorated in Tamil Nadu, he said the public could no longer tolerate the prevailing situation. 'Despite this, the Chief Minister is being felicitated every day. Are these celebrations for the rising crime rate, crimes against women, or for TASMAC liquor sales crossing ₹50,000 crore?' he asked. He also pointed out that two ministers were removed from their posts on the same day—something unprecedented in the country. Furthermore, he stated that 13 DMK ministers are facing asset-related cases, describing the government's administration as a 'total failure.'
Taking a further dig at Mr. Stalin, Mr. Annamalai said that while other Chief Ministers had begun implementing the Centre's directive to identify and expel Pakistani nationals, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was yet to take any action. 'Do you support militancy?' he asked pointedly.
AIADMK protest
Meanwhile, the AIADMK staged a demonstration at the Vilakethi Four Road Junction on Monday. The protest, led by former minister K.V. Ramalingam, saw the participation of former minister K.S. Thennarasu, former MP S. Selvakumara Chinnayan, and other party functionaries. The cadre raised slogans against the ruling DMK government, accusing it of failing to prevent rising crimes in the State, and described the double murder as barbaric.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ramalingam alleged that the DMK government was focused solely on publicity and called it the worst government in the country. He claimed that murders and robberies were occurring daily across the State, while the ruling party was misleading the public with false promises. 'Electricity tariff and prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed under DMK rule. All welfare schemes implemented during the previous AIADMK regime have been discontinued,' he alleged.
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