Overview
- Justice P. Velmurugan allowed a petition by K. Immanuvel, brother of slain BSP leader K. Armstrong, to move the case from Greater Chennai Police to the CBI.
- The judge cited the failure to conduct an identification parade even though eyewitnesses, including Armstrong’s injured brother K. Veeramani, said they could identify the assailants.
- The order directs the CBI to file its chargesheet within six months of taking over the investigation.
- Police had filed a 7,087-page chargesheet against 30 accused, formed an SIT, reported seizures of weapons and Rs 63 lakh, kept 27 in judicial custody under the Goondas Act, and noted one accused died as the prime suspect Nagendran remains in prison.
- Investigators linked the killing to gang rivalry tied to the 2023 ‘Arcot’ Suresh case, while Armstrong’s family alleged a neglected political angle, and two accused including ‘Shambhava’ Senthil remain absconding with Red Corner Notices pursued.