Chennai Police Intensify Hunt for Key Suspect in BSP Chief Murder

Chennai – The Tamil Nadu Police are intensifying their efforts to apprehend Sambhav Senthil, a key suspect in the July 5th murder of state BSP chief K. Armstrong. Senthil, currently believed to be in Thailand, has been issued a Red Corner Notice, an international arrest warrant, to facilitate his extradition. The police have issued a Look Out Circular to the Bureau of Immigration to restrict his movements.

Senthil, a law graduate from a prominent business family, is accused of orchestrating the murder alongside two associates, Krishnakumar and Appu. Police sources reveal that Senthil, classified as an A+ history sheeter at the Washermenpet police station, is linked to six murders and various other crimes, including extortion and illegal dispute resolution. Despite his criminal history, he has never been arrested.

The investigation into Armstrong’s murder, which involved three rival gangs with longstanding disputes with the victim, has resulted in the arrest of 27 individuals. The accused include members of various political parties, including the AIADMK, Tamil Maanila Congress, BJP, and Congress. One gang, led by Ponnai Balu, the brother of slain gangster Arcot V. Suresh, directly carried out the murder in revenge for Suresh’s death, which they blamed on Armstrong. Balu and his group turned themselves into the police shortly after the crime. Nagendran, an infamous gangster imprisoned for 26 years, led the second gang and held a grudge against Armstrong. Senthil’s gang is accused of financing and planning the crime.

A special team, led by Chennai Police Commissioner M. Arun, is dedicated to tracking down Senthil. Seventeen police teams are currently investigating the murder, which was reportedly motivated by a combination of personal grudges and a real estate dispute.

Adding to the complexity of the case, Visalakshi, the mother of accused K. Ashwathaman (Nagendran’s son and a former Tamil Nadu Youth Congress office-bearer), has filed a petition in the Madras High Court challenging her son’s detention order under the Goonda Act. She claims the order was issued without due process and has also filed a Habeas Corpus petition, alleging procedural lapses in the detention order issued on September 19. Visalakshi asserted that the detention order was issued mechanically without due consideration, and neither she nor her son’s wife or brother were informed, violating the Act. After his involvement in the case, the Congress party removed him from his responsibilities.

Despite the challenges, Police Commissioner Arun remains confident in apprehending the remaining suspects, stating, "The special team is pursuing all leads to ensure justice for Armstrong’s murder.”

(Source- IANS)