Rahman Sadiq of PFI Thanjavur killed Ramalingam by chopping his hands as the deceased had opposed conversion to Islam :NIA

New Delhi, August 4

The NIA arrested an absconding key conspirator Ramalingam murder case of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.

The accused was identified as Rahman Sadiq of Thirubhuvanam, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thanjavur. 

The case was initially registered in February 2019 at Thiruvidaimaruthur police station, under sections 341, 294(b) and 307 of IPC  for conspiring and killing  Ramalingam, on in February 2019, who had opposed the Dawah work of leaders of Popular Front of India (PFI) who were allegedly converting Hindus into Islam. 

The NIA stated that the killing was aimed to create terror in the minds of a particular section of people, to create enmity between different religious  communities and to avenge and  teach a lesson to Ramalingam (now deceased) , who had removed the “taqiyah”( skull cap) worn by one of the accused persons,  and applied “thiruneer (sacred ash)” on the forehead of accused Mohammed Farooq inorder to  portray that all religions are same.

The NIA had re-registered the case in March 2019 and taken over the investigation. NIA had earlier filed charge sheet against 18 accused in August 2019.

The NIA investigation has revealed that Rahman Sadiq was the Administrator of Dawah work of PFI, Thanjavur District. He along with other accused persons had conspired in Thirubhuvanam on February 5, 2019 against Ramalingam by chopping his hands. 

He and the other co-conspirators had arranged weapons, vehicles and hideouts for executing the plan. Rahman Sadiq was also instrumental in recruiting members for committing this terrorist act. After killing Ramalingam, accused Rahman Sadiq was hiding at various places in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for last two years before being apprehended, officials added 

The NIA had also announced a reward of Rs. 5 lakh for information relating to his apprehension and he was also declared as proclaimed offender by the NIA Special Court. 

The NIA is further investigating the case.