The imported rifle that was recovered from the Cooum River in the Dilson murder case will be test fired by ballistic experts on Monday. As the Crime Branch CID prepares to file its charge sheet in the sensational case this week, investigators have sought the opinion of ballistic experts on whether the bullets, also seized from the river, were compatible with the 0.30 Springfield Rifle, police sources said.
Thirteen-year-old Dilson of Indira Gandhi Nagar here was shot dead in the defence residential complex where he went to pluck fruits on July 3. The CBCID that took over investigation arrested retired Army official Lt. Col Kandasamy Ramaraj. Based on his confession the rifle and ammunition were recovered from the river.
The rifle will be test-fired at the police firing range on Monday. "We have to provide scientific evidence that the bullet which killed Dilson was fired from the rifle used by the accused. Once the ballistic opinion is obtained, we will file the charge sheet in the case," a CBCID official said adding that the test was a legal formality though there was prima facie evidence that the accused used the rifle.
Also, the car in which the accused person allegedly hid the rifle after committing the murder and later threw the weapon into the river was seized for investigation. The vehicle would be inspected by forensic experts, he said.
According to prison sources, Lt Col Ramaraj who is lodged in the Puzhal Central Prison complained of hypertension and diabetes and was admitted to the prison hospital on Saturday. "He is visibly depressed and is refusing food often. His condition is stable," a prison official said.
