Chennai, Jan 27 (NationPress) The Madras High Court has raised alarming concerns regarding security breaches within its premises after the Additional Advocate General (AAG), P. Kumaresan, delivered a status report detailing claims that country-made bombs were smuggled into the court and handed to individuals accused in the murder of State Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President, K. Armstrong.

The AAG presented CCTV footage indicating individuals transporting bombs hidden inside lunch bags.

Six advocates implicated in this incident have faced suspension from the Bar Council.

A division bench composed of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and N. Jothiraman was reviewing a set of petitions aiming to annul the application of the Goonda Act against the accused in Armstrong's murder case.

During the hearing, the bench articulated worries over the possible ramifications of the situation.

Justice Subramaniam stated, "What if the bombs had detonated in the court? How many lives would we have lost? What if the explosion damaged the statue of B.R. Ambedkar?"

The court requested input from various stakeholders, including advocate associations, the police, and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), to enhance security protocols on the court grounds.

The bench also urged advocates to comply with security screenings, underlining the importance of vigilance and sensitivity.

The petitioners' counsel challenged the allegations, arguing that the investigation lacked concrete evidence to support the claims.

The bench has arranged for further discussions on January 29 to formulate a robust security plan.

K. Armstrong, a lawyer and the State BSP President, was brutally murdered on July 5, 2024, in front of his under-construction residence in Perambur, near Chennai.

An eight-member gang, led by Ponnai Balu—the sibling of deceased gangster Arcot Suresh—surrendered the same evening, admitting that the murder was an act of revenge for Suresh's death, which they alleged Armstrong had orchestrated.

Investigations conducted by a special team, appointed by Chennai Police Commissioner M. Arun, revealed a conspiracy involving three gangs planning the murder.

Armstrong was eventually killed by Balu and his accomplices.

Further inquiries uncovered that gangster Nagendran, who has been incarcerated for 26 years, and another gangster, Sambhav Senthil, financed and orchestrated the murder.

Nagendran reportedly held animosity towards Armstrong, blaming him for hindering his son Ashwathaman's political aspirations.

Ashwathaman, a lawyer and state office-bearer of the Tamil Nadu Youth Congress, has since been expelled from the party.

Sambhav Senthil allegedly had conflicts with Armstrong concerning real estate transactions.

A total of twenty-seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder of the State BSP President.

Among those apprehended, 23 individuals—including Ponnai Balu and Ashwathaman—are detained in Puzhal Central Prison. However, Sambhav Senthil and two accomplices, Krishna Kumar and Appu, remain at large.