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Tirunelveli: Ex-Mayor murder case transferred to CB-CID

The Tirunelveli city police at once intensified its probe by constituting three special teams led by three inspectors of police.

Tirunelveli: The Tirunelveli ex-Mayor murder case, in which the special investigating teams of the city police is said to have secured the main culprit, has been transferred to the CB-CID on Monday, giving a new dimension to the sensitive case, said sources here.

Former mayor of Tirunelveli municipal corporation, Uma Maheswari, her husband Muruga Shankaran and housemaid Mariammal, were gruesomely murdered on July 23 here. The case was so sensational, prompting the State and National commission of Scheduled Castes (NCSC) to seek a detailed report on the triple murder as Uma was from the SC community.

The Tirunelveli city police at once intensified its probe by constituting three special teams led by three inspectors of police — Periyasamy, Parnabas and Somasundaram, monitored by an assistant commissioner of police.

The case was believed to be a murder for gain as around 30 sovereigns worn by Uma Maheshwari were missing, and her almairah broken. Tirunelveli commissioner, N Baskaran, too later said it was murder for gain.

Further investigation, brought to light a more sensitive issue about the suspected involvement of Seeniammal, deputy secretary, DMK's Adi Dravida wing. A special team led by inspector Periyasamy rushed to Madurai, and grilled her for about an hour.

Seeniammal reportedly had an issue with Uma Maheshwari over money transaction to the tune of Rs 50 lakh, which the ex-mayor received promising to get her a party ticket to contest the 2016 general election in Sankarankoil reserved Assembly constituency.

CCTV footages collected by police further strengthened the lead in the case, as according to the police, a Scorpio car used by the murderers was seized. Police also picked up Seeniammal's 39-year-old son, Karthi alias Kathikeyan, interrogation with whom was said to have revealed that the ex-mayor and her husband were murdered over a long-drawn money dispute she had with Seeniammal. Police also seized a knife from him believed to have been used in the crime.

Even as Karthikeyan was to be produced before the Tirunelveli magistrate on Monday, the State DGP announced the transfer of the case to CB-CID wing.

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