Tirunelveli ex-policeman murder case: Prime suspect shot at and arrested; inspector suspended

Krishnamurthy alias Thowfeeque
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A day after a former police sub-inspector Zakhir Hussain Bijili, who had publicly posted a video fearing for his life, was murdered in Tirunelveli, the police shot at and arrested Krishnamurthy alias Thowfeeque, a key suspect in the case, on Wednesday (March 19, 2025). Zakhir had named some policemen in his video in February and accused them of abetting the accused.

Amid widespread outrage over Zakhir’s murder — with the issue echoing in the Legislative Assembly — the Inspector of Police, Tirunelveli Town, Gopalakrishnan, was suspended from service. Besides, disciplinary action is to be taken against the then Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tirunelveli Town, Senthil Kumar, now posted as Assistant Commissioner of Police (Intelligence), Coimbatore City.

Police claimed the prime suspect was shot at when he attacked the police with a sickle in a bid to evade arrest. He was reportedly hiding at the hillock near Reddiyarpatti on Palaymkottai outskirts, when one of the three special teams conducted combing operation following a tip-off and tried to nab him. Thowfeeque allegedly attacked head-constable Anand with a sickle injuring him on the left shoulder. Following this, he was shot on his left leg, the police said.

The injured accused and the head constable were taken to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for treatment. Their condition is said to be stable.

Meanwhile, the family of Zakhir, who was murdered in Tirunelveli Town following a dispute over a Wakf Board land, received his body on Wednesday after Commissioner of Police, Tirunelveli City, Santosh Hadimani assured them of action against the police officers against whom Zakhir had levelled serious allegations.

Zakhir Hussein had in a video posted on social media last month accused Mr. Gopalakrishnan and Mr. Senthil Kumar of not taking any action against the persons conspiring to kill him in the land dispute.

“The police did not take any action on my father’s complaint. Hence, he posted the video on the social media explaining to the world the threat he was facing from his opponents. Now, the worst has happened,” said Zakhir’s son Z. Rahman. He demanded “fair investigation” by CB-CID, saying “We have lost faith in Tirunelveli Town Police.”

Tirunelveli district president of AIADMK Thatchai N. Ganesa Raja, who visited the family on Wednesday, alleged police inaction led to the gruesome murder of Zakhir.

“Thowfeeque, had embraced Islam 9 years ago. However, on his complaint, the Tirunelveli Town police had registered a case against Zakhir under the provisions of SC / ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which is a blunder. As Thowfeeque had converted to Islam — his name figures in the local mosque — as per law, he cannot be treated as a Scheduled Caste. The police had unjustly registered a case under SC / ST Act against Zakhir. On the other hand, they did not take any action on Zahikr’s complaint against those intimidating him. His murder shows the breakdown of the police machinery,” said Mr. Ganesa Raja.