Activists and Family Claim Encounter Killing in Madurai Was a 'Deliberate Murder'
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The encounter killing of a 29-year-old history-sheeter by Madurai police has led to public outrage. Family and activists claim it was a premeditated murder, disputing police reports and calling for an independent investigation.
Key Takeaways
- Incident Details: Alleged encounter killing of V. Subhash Chandra Bose.
- Family's Claim: Police narrative disputed; claims of premeditated murder.
- Legal Action: Activists planning to file legal petitions against police actions.
- Community Outrage: Calls for an independent investigation intensify.
- Historical Context: Linked to ongoing gang rivalry in the region.
Chennai, April 2 (NationPress) The alleged encounter killing of a 29-year-old history-sheeter by the Madurai city police has incited fury among human rights activists and the victim's family, who assert that the incident was a premeditated murder.
The deceased, V. Subhash Chandra Bose, a resident of Pangjam Colony in Madurai, was shot and killed by police on the evening of March 31.
The police stated that the encounter was a measure of self-defense, claiming that Bose attacked two constables with a machete and fired upon an inspector.
Bose was reportedly a suspect in the March 23 murder of another history-sheeter, ‘Glamour’ Kali alias Kaleshwaran.
However, Bose's father, Veeraiya, has vehemently disputed the police account.
Speaking to reporters, he alleged that his son was not killed in Madurai but possibly at a different location near Coimbatore, and that his body was subsequently transported back to Madurai.
“Subhash was with our family when Kaleshwaran was murdered. The charges are unfounded,” he asserted, stating there was no reason for Bose to harm Kaleshwaran, who was also a relative.
Veeraiya claimed that his son had relocated to Coimbatore out of fear of arrest due to police fabricating charges against him.
Advocate and member of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), A. John Vincent, also expressed doubts regarding the validity of the police narrative.
“Authorities often believe that such encounters create fear and prevent crime. However, the reality on the ground is drastically different,” he remarked.
Vincent highlighted inconsistencies in the police statement.
“They claimed to have aimed for Bose’s leg, yet he was shot in the chest. If Bose was armed with a gun, why would he first use a machete instead of directly using the firearm?” he questioned.
He stressed that such encounters must adhere to proper protocols and require approval from higher authorities.
Human rights activist P.M. Sudevan echoed these sentiments, suggesting that Bose may have been killed elsewhere, with his body later placed at the scene.
Sudevan also declared his intention to file a legal petition against what he labeled as police “high-handedness” and “cold-blooded murders.”
Police sources maintain that Subhash was a key suspect in the murder of Kaleshwaran, who was killed in Austinpatti on March 23.
Kaleshwaran was the nephew of former DMK councillor V.K. Gurusamy.
The murder is believed to be tied to a long-standing feud between Gurusamy’s faction and a gang linked to the late AIADMK figure Rajapandian.
This rivalry, according to police, has led to at least 20 deaths over the last two decades.
Bose was reportedly a close associate of Vellaikaali, a relative of Rajapandian, and allegedly led the gang responsible for Kaleshwaran’s murder.
Following the encounter, Bose was rushed to a nearby private hospital with a chest gunshot wound but was declared dead upon arrival.
Activists and family members continue to demand an independent investigation into the incident, alleging significant lapses and potential extrajudicial actions by the police.
