Edappadi K Palaniswami questioned the "encounter" and asked "What was the need to rush someone in police custody early in the morning?"
Published Jul 14, 2024 | 10:15 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2024 | 10:24 PM
K Thiruvengadam and a country made pisol allegedly recovered by the police from the shooting site. (Supplied)
A key accused in the murder of BSP Tamil Nadu chief K Armstrong was shot dead in Chennai on Sunday, 14 July after he allegedly attempted to assault police personnel and flee from custody.
When the accused, K Thiruvengadam, was taken by sleuths to a location in north Chennai as part of the investigation to unearth weapons concealed in a spot, he allegedly assaulted a policeman. He tried to escape and a police officer shot at him.
He was taken to the government Stanley Hospital in Chennai where he was declared by doctors as brought dead.
According to reports, Thiruvengadam is said to have followed Armstrong for several days before Armstrong’s murder to keep a constant tab on the BSP leader’s activities.
According to the police, when Thiruvengadam was taken by them to Manali in North Chennai as part of the investigation, to unearth weapons allegedly concealed at a spot, he escaped from custody after pushing away the policemen on escort duty.
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.
Taking to X, Leader of Opposition and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami questioned the encounter of Thiruvengadam. He asked, “What was the need to rush someone in police custody early in the morning and shoot them dead? Did the police handcuff the murderer while taking him to confiscate the weapons? As Armstrong’s family and his party suspect that those who surrendered are not real criminals, the encounter only reinforces their suspicions.”
பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சி மாநிலத் தலைவர் ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் கொலை வழக்கில் சரணடைந்தவர்களுள் திருவேங்கடம் என்ற ரவுடி காவல்துறையினரால் என்கவுண்டர் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதாக செய்திகள் வருகின்றன.
காவல்துறையின் கஸ்டடியில் இருக்கும் ஒருவரை, அதிகாலையில் அவசர அவசரமாக அழைத்து வந்து சுட்டுக்கொல்லவேண்டிய தேவை… pic.twitter.com/NhAMFmI3A0
— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) July 14, 2024
Thiruvengadam, in his thirties, is one of the 11 accused arrested in the Armstrong murder case and is a history sheeter. A couple of days ago, a court in Chennai granted police five-day custody of the accused persons.
The cops have been questioning all the 11 suspects including Thiruvengadam in their custody.
On 5 July, Armstrong was hacked to death in Chennai by a gang and the murder led to outrage and opposition parties alleged complete deterioration of law and order.
The police and the government had assured stern measures to bring the culprits to book.
On 9 July, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called on Porkodi, wife of Armstrong and assured her that the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice.
During his visit, Stalin conveyed his condolences and sympathies to Porkodi and other family members and assured them that all those involved in the ghastly murder would be punished according to the law.
On 11 July, police shot dead a history-sheeter in the Pudukottai district.
(Edited by Neena with PTI inputs)
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