ramani@ncst.ernet.in (S. Ramani, NCST, Bombay) (06/16/91)
THE FOLLOWING NEWS HAS BEEN SENT BY DR.RAMANI AT NCST IN BOMBAY - INDIA.
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Subject: PTI Report on Rajiv Gandhi Assasination Case
ramani@ncst.ernet.in (S. Ramani, NCST, Bombay)
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MURUGAN WAS LTTE MEMBER, SAYS CBI
Chengalpattu (TN) June 15 (PTI) Murugan alias Dass,
arrested by the CBI last night, was a member of the LTTE and
had been given a specific assignment by the group in the
assassination of the former Prime Minister, Mr Rajiv Gandhi,
the CBI stated in its affidavit filed before the Chief
Judicial Magistrate, Chengalpattu.
Murugan and Indian born Nalini, who were arrested last
night by a CBI team while alighting from a state transport bus
at Saidapet in Madras were remanded to 28 days police custody
by the Magistrate, Mr Vadivel Ratnam today.
The Magistrate, in his order said Nalini and Murugan,
who were arrested under the Terrorists and Disruptive
Actvitities (Prevention) act 1987, should not be illtreated
during police custody and should be fed at government cost and
provided normal facilities as per rule.
He directed that the two be produced before him by 1700
hrs on July 12.
In another order, the Magistrate allowed the police to
retain possession of belongings seized from Nalini and
Murugan.
Nalini, dressed in a pink salwar-kameez and Murugan, who
had recently tonsured his head were brought to court in
Chengalpattu amidst tight security.
A battery of press photographers clicked away as a
visibly tense Nalini and Murugan were brought to the court
premises.
CBI DSP Mr K Raghothaman, who is investigating the case,
in his affidavit stated that Murugan alias Dass was a Sri
Lankan Tamil hailing from Jaffna and was an LTTE member. He
said Murugan had been given an assignment by the LTTE in the
assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi.
Murugan and Nalini were absconding for some time and had
tried to cross the Tamil nadu coast to enter Sri Lanka, but
their attempt was foiled as the police and the CBI had
maintained a strict vigil, sealing all escape routes, he said
in the affidavit.
Mr Raghothaman in his affidavit stated that Murugan was
apparently working in collusion with Sivaraja, a kurta-clad
man, seen in the photograph alongwith the alleged woman
assassin, who was also wanted in connection with the case.
He stated that Nalini was a key-conspirator in the case,
having harboured the alleged assassin and some other persons
wanted in the case. He said that Nalini and Murugan had worked
in collusion with several persons.
Stating that Nalini and Murugan were working with
several known and unknown suspects wanted by the CBI in the
case, Mr Raghothaman prayed that the two should be remanded to
police custody as investigation was in progress and the
involvement of any other persons and other facts had to be
brought to light.
The Magistrate, Mr Vadivelu Ratnam, remanded both the
arrested to 28 days police custody. The CBI sought 30 days
custody under the terrorist and disruptive activities
prevention act (TADA) as they wanted to question them on their
involvement besides that of others in the case.
The court ordered the CBI that all basic necessities be
provided to both Nalini and Murugan.
Nalini appeared shaken and looked pale while Murugan,
who was brought in handcuffs, seemed unmoved and emotionless.
Murugan was dressed in pants and shirts. PTI kjv rr bj
END OF ARTICLE
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