It has later come to light that one of the accused S Malarkodi, an advocate, is also a functionary of the AIADMK.
Published Jul 18, 2024 | 11:04 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 18, 2024 | 11:04 AM
Tamil Nadu BSP president K Armstrong. (X)
The Tamil Nadu police on Wednesday, 17 July, arrested three more people— S Malarkodi, Hariharan and Sathish in the murder case of state BSP chief Armstrong.
It has later come to light that S Malarkodi, an advocate, is also a functionary of the AIADMK.
The main opposition in the state on Thursday, 18 July, in an official release stated that they are expelling her from the party for in the state, as she acted against the party rules.
The release read, “Malarkodi Sekar belonging to Thiruvellikeni, was removed from the party because of her actions against AIADMK party rules.”
தலைமைக் கழக அறிவிப்பு. pic.twitter.com/6gJvsAypyw
— AIADMK – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@AIADMKOfficial) July 18, 2024
According to a The New Indian Express report, the police said that Malarkodi and Hariharan were arrested based on a money transaction between them and another suspect, G Arul, who has already been arrested.
Hariharan and Malarkodi were allegedly involved in a money transaction to the tune of ₹50 lakh with Arul. The police are trying to ascertain the nature of the transaction.
The report further stated that the father of Sathish, one of the arrested persons, is a DMK functionary.
On 5 July, Armstrong was hacked to death, near his residence in Chennai by a bike-borne gang. The murder led to outrage and opposition parties alleged a complete deterioration of law and order. The police and the government had assured stern measures to bring the culprits to book.
A day after his death, the Chennai police arrested eight members and later arrested three more in connection with the case. With the three arrested on Wednesday, the total count reached 14.
On 14 July, one of the key accused—K Thiruvengadam, was shot dead by the police.
The incident took place when the police vehicle had halted near a lake area to enable the accused to relieve himself, according to the police.
Though the police personnel tried to apprehend Thiruvengadam, he fled, the police said. Eventually, however, the sleuths spotted him at a nearby locality and busted his hideout at ‘Vegetarian Village’, which falls in Puzhal police station limits.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from K Nitika Shivani)
