Governor’s panel grills Nirmala, may seek time to question two others

The decision has been made as the committee is yet to investigate two important persons in the case, Murugan, the Assistant Professor at Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), and Karuppasamy, former research scholar at the university.

Earlier in the day, Santhanam held first round of investigation with Nirmala Devi in Madurai central prison in the forenoon for three-and-a-half hours from 9.20. After the lunch-break, he resumed the inquiry around 3 pm and the process ended at 6.30 pm.

Addressing media persons outside the prison, Santhanam said that Nirmala Devi cooperated well for the investigation and would put her replies in written format to submit as a report.

When asked whether Murugan and Karuppasamy would also be brought under the investigation ring, he replied that since they were being interrogated by the CB-CID, he would not be able to hold an inquiry with them. When their custody ends he would seek permission to inquire them in the prison, said Santhanam.

To a question whether he would be able to complete the investigation with Murugan and Karuppasamy as the last date for submitting his report to Governor ends by April 30, Santhanam said that he would seek extension of time from Governor to complete the inquiry with the two MKU members and expressed the confidence that his request would be accepted.