Published Aug 21, 2025 | 10:42 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 21, 2025 | 10:42 AM
NIA. (Wikimedia)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday, 20 August, searched nine locations in Tamil Nadu and arrested one more accused in connection with the 2019 Tamil Nadu Ramalingam murder case linked with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) terror outfit.
According to the central agency, searches were conducted in these nine locations in two districts to trace absconding Proclaimed Offenders (POs) in a case relating to the brutal killing of Ramalingam, aimed at spreading fear and communal hatred among the people.
During the searches, NIA arrested Imthathullah, Proprietor of Ambur Biryani Hotels, Kodaikanal, for knowingly and voluntarily harbouring absconding POs in his hotel outlets from 2021 onwards. Incriminating documents and digital devices, etc, were also seized during the searches conducted in Dindugal and Tenkasi districts.
Of the three POs harboured by Imthathullah, two, identified as Abdul Majeed and Shahul Hameed, were arrested by NIA on 25 January, and one other PO, Mohammed Ali Jinna, is still absconding.
NIA, which took over the investigation from the Tamil Nadu Police in March 2019, had chargesheeted a total of 18 accused before its Special Court, Poonamallee, Chennai, in August 2019. Of these, a total of six were absconders.
In 2021, NIA arrested one of the six absconders, identified as Rahman Sadiq. In November 2024, the agency successfully traced Abdul Majeed and Shahul to the Poombarai area in Kodaikanal, Dindigul District, and arrested one harbourer, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, who was named as the 19th accused in the case.
NIA has announced a reward of ₹5 lakhs each for information about Mohammed Ali Jinna and two other absconding POs — Burhanudeen and Nafeel Hasan, all belonging to Thanjavur District and formerly office bearers of PFI.
