New Delhi, February 14: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against an accused named Imtathullah. He is alleged to have provided shelter to the attackers and conspirators involved in the Ramalingam murder case.
Ramalingam was brutally murdered in March 2019 by members of the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI). This incident posed a significant threat to communal harmony and peace in Tamil Nadu.
Following the attack, the NIA took over the investigation. The agency has now submitted the chargesheet against Imtathullah, a resident of Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu, at the special NIA court in Poonamallee, Chennai.
According to the NIA, the accused knowingly sheltered the attackers and conspirators involved in the murder. This killing was part of a larger conspiracy aimed at spreading communal tension and terror in Tirubhuvanam, Tamil Nadu. Investigations revealed that Imtathullah had harbored absconding criminals for nearly six years, despite being aware of their roles in the crime.
On February 5, 2019, Ramalingam was attacked. Reports indicate that on that day, PFI members were engaged in forced religious conversions in the Pakku Vinayakam Thopu area. Ramalingam opposed this, leading to a dispute. Later that day, PFI plotted and executed his murder.
In August 2019, the NIA filed a chargesheet against 18 accused in this case. Six of these accused were declared absconders.
In 2021, the NIA arrested one absconding accused, and further investigations led to the capture of three more in 2025. It was revealed that these three absconders were sheltered by Imtathullah at the Ambur Biryani Restaurant in Kodaikanal. Imtathullah was arrested in August 2025.
The NIA has since apprehended the remaining absconders in 2025 and continues to identify and bring to justice others connected to the banned PFI and the conspiracy.