Retired SI brutally murdered by armed gang in Tirunelveli
The 60-year-old retired Sub Inspector Jahir Hussain Bijli of Thadi Veeran Kovil Street was hacked to death by the gang at around 5.45 am.
Nellai Town police, who recovered Zakir Hussain's body
MADURAI: Tension prevailed in Tirunelveli town following the brutal murder of a retired cop on Tuesday.
The 60-year-old retired Sub Inspector Jahir Hussain Bijli of Thadi Veeran Kovil Street was hacked to death by the gang at around 5.45 am.
The retired cop was returning home after offering Namaz when the armed group pounced on him. The gang fled the scene leaving the victim, who suffered machete wounds on his face, neck and head, dead in a pool of blood. Property dispute concerning Jamaath is said to be the cause behind the murder.
Commissioner of Police, Tirunelveli City, Santosh Hadimani, Tirunelveli Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) V Geetha and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ajith Kumar inspected the scene of the crime and held inquiries.
Sources said victim Bijli earlier had strong objections to the claims being made by a Hindu man, who married a Muslim woman, after converting to Islam and named himself Taufiq.
The latter attempted to usurp 32 cents of land near Jamaath in Tirunelveli Town with fake documents claiming that the lands belonged to his wife.
Bijli intervened in the issue and objected strenuously, claiming that the land belongs to the Wakf Board. Subsequently, it fostered feelings of ill will and enmity between them since January this year.
However, Taufiq, who claimed the property in the name of his wife, lodged a complaint against Bijli and based on that, Tirunelveli Town police filed a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Bijli recorded a video message addressing Chief Minister MK Stalin that Taufiq, using forged documents, attempted to take possession of the property and sought police action.
Further, in his message, Bijli charged Inspector of Police Gopalakrishnan and Assistant Commissioner Senthil Kumar with abetting to murder and did not take action against Taufiq and others behind the forgery.
Based on a complaint, Tirunelveli Town Police filed a case following the murder.
Meanwhile, S Karthik (32) of North Street, Palkattalai and M Akbar Sha (32) of Thottipalam Street, Tirunelveli Town surrendered before Judicial Magistrate-III in Tirunelveli in connection with the murder.
