In a bold move to safeguard justice, India’s NIA has slapped a new case on six men linked to efforts to sabotage the trial in the 2023 murder of Puducherry BJP leader Senthil Kumaran. Operating from prison cells, the accused allegedly plotted to scare off witnesses and manipulate court proceedings.
Kumaran fell victim to a vicious attack by six assailants on bikes in Villianur, who pelted him with bombs and fired weapons. The case, first probed by state police, landed with the NIA amid suspicions of larger terror networks. Chargesheets against four main perpetrators are already in place.
The latest filing spotlights Nithyanandam (Nithi), Shiv Shankar, Venkatesh, Ezhumalai, plus newcomers Heram (TR/Karthee) and Udayakumar. Evidence shows they smuggled secret trial documents out of Kalapet and Yanam jails to pinpoint witnesses—including those under protection—and issue dire threats to silence them.
Central to the scheme was Nithi, who masterminded operations from incarceration. The NIA acted decisively, shifting him to a higher-security facility and nabbing two aides. September 2024 raids across prison facilities and middlemen’s residences unearthed damning proof.
Prosecuted under BNS, UAPA, and NIA Act provisions, the case highlights systemic threats to trials. The NIA vows continued probes and invites tips from citizens, guaranteeing informant confidentiality. As this unfolds, it raises alarms about jail-based criminal syndicates undermining India’s legal framework.