Famous Criminal Cases in Tamil Nadu
1. Rajiv Gandhi Assassination (1991)
One of the most significant criminal cases in Tamil Nadu's history is the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The assassination took place on May 21, 1991, in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, during an election rally. A suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) carried out the attack, which killed Gandhi and 14 others.
The investigation, led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), revealed the involvement of LTTE and other conspirators. This case led to a massive crackdown on the LTTE in India and had a profound impact on the country's security protocols for political figures.
The trial ended with several convictions, including those of the assassins, but the case remains controversial due to questions about the judicial process and demands for the convicts' release. The case also brought attention to international terrorist organizations operating within Indian borders.
2. The Auto Shankar Case (1980s)
In the late 1980s, Auto Shankar, a notorious serial killer, was involved in a series of murders in Chennai. His real name was Gowri Shankar, and he was a local auto driver who used his job as a cover for his criminal activities. Shankar and his gang kidnapped, murdered, and disposed of nine young women between 1988 and 1989.
The case shocked Tamil Nadu, revealing a nexus between local criminals and corrupt officials. Auto Shankar's case was one of the first instances where the link between crime and politics became evident in the state. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to death, and his execution took place in 1995. The case also inspired several movies and books, becoming a symbol of how crime can infiltrate the system.
3. The Veerappan Saga (1990s-2004)
Koose Munisamy Veerappan, a sandalwood smuggler and brigand, became a household name in Tamil Nadu and neighboring Karnataka. Operating in the forests of Sathyamangalam and the Western Ghats, Veerappan evaded capture for over two decades while building an empire based on illegal trade in sandalwood and ivory. He was also responsible for the killings of police officers and civilians, making him one of the most wanted criminals in India.
The Special Task Force (STF) was established specifically to capture him, and after many failed attempts, Veerappan was finally killed in 2004 in an encounter. His death marked the end of one of the longest manhunts in Indian history, and his life story has since been adapted into various films and documentaries.
4. The Pollachi Sexual Assault Case (2019)
The Pollachi sexual assault case was a high-profile incident involving the sexual exploitation of multiple women by a gang in Pollachi, a town in Tamil Nadu. The perpetrators blackmailed the women using videos of them in compromising positions. The case garnered widespread media attention and led to public outrage.
The Tamil Nadu police arrested several individuals, and the case was transferred to the CBI. It highlighted the prevalence of sexual harassment in the state and led to significant public discourse about the safety of women. The trial is still ongoing, but the case has had a lasting impact on the state’s approach to dealing with such heinous crimes.
5. The Sankararaman Murder Case (2004)
The Sankararaman murder case involved the assassination of a temple manager, A. Sankararaman, in Kanchipuram in 2004. The case became controversial because the prime suspects were Jayendra Saraswathi and Vijayendra Saraswathi, the pontiffs of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, one of the most revered Hindu religious institutions.
Sankararaman had been a vocal critic of the Kanchi Math and had allegedly received threats before his murder. The case shook the state, as it was the first time religious heads of such high stature were implicated in a murder. After a long trial, the accused were acquitted due to a lack of evidence, but the case remains a controversial chapter in Tamil Nadu’s judicial history.
6. The Tiruvarur Double Murder Case (2020)
In 2020, a double murder in Tiruvarur district shocked the state. Two young men were found dead in suspicious circumstances, leading to widespread speculation. The case involved a complex web of local politics, financial disputes, and personal vendettas, making it a sensational news story.
The Tamil Nadu police cracked the case after months of investigation, revealing that the murders were the result of a feud over land and money. The case highlighted the dangerous intersections of money, power, and crime in rural Tamil Nadu.
7. The Dharmapuri Caste Violence (2012)
In November 2012, Dharmapuri district witnessed one of the worst instances of caste-based violence in recent times. The violence erupted after a young man from a lower caste married a woman from a higher caste. Houses were torched, and property was destroyed in a rampage that lasted for days.
While no one was killed, the case became a symbol of caste tensions in Tamil Nadu, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for reforms in how caste-related issues are handled by both society and law enforcement. The case prompted the state government to take stricter measures against caste-based discrimination and violence.
Conclusion
Tamil Nadu’s criminal history is as diverse as its cultural heritage. These cases are not just episodes of crime but pivotal moments that shaped the legal, political, and social fabric of the state. From high-profile assassinations to local feuds turning into violent crimes, these stories serve as a reminder of the complexity of crime and justice in Tamil Nadu. They also underline the need for a more robust judicial system and societal reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.
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