Coimbatore Police step up probe into Hanuman Sena functionary “abduction”

Police said cellular phone call records, however,contradicting the claims of abduction

Coimbatore City Police are stepping up probe into the alleged “abduction” of Hanuman Sena functionary Sakthivel, especially with the cellular phone call records contradicting the claims of the complainant.

State Organising Secretary of the Akhil Bharat Hanuman Sena, Sakthivel had left for Kotagiri on Monday for a flag hoisting and went “missing” on his way back to Coimbatore. Personal Security Officers (PSO’s) were provided to Hindu outfit functionaries soon after the murder of Bharathia Janata Party’s State General Secretary V. Ramesh. The PSO provided to Sakthivel reportedly relieved himself when the protected person was crossing the city limits, as per the instructions given to him.

Police initially registered a case of man-missing based on a complaint from Sakthivel’s wife. Even as the search was on, Sakthivel came to the Collectorate and Police Commissioner’s office on Wednesday stating that he was abducted by three persons including two in police uniform.

Sakthivel alleged that he was abducted near Thudialur after using sedatives to turn him unconscious and added that he escaped from the trio after the car reached Thiruvananthapuram. He sought action against those who kidnapped him. Accordingly, the police altered the First Information Report (FIR) invoking sections for abduction, assault and robbery.

Meanwhile, Ramarajan who reportedly accompanied Sakthivel had appeared before the police and denied any incident of abduction. Intrigued over the “abduction” and contradicting versions, the police stepped up the probe to ascertain the whereabouts of Sakthivel and those who accompanied him. With the cellular phone call details giving a different picture, police suspect the very complaint of abduction to be false.

Police are planning to invoke section 211 of Indian Penal Code (giving false information to cause injury) against the Hanuman Sena functionary, if the complaint was found to be false. The “abduction” episode narrated by the complainant would have resulted in destroying the peaceful social fabric by leading to communal tension, police source said. Hence, the decision to step up probe and confirm the statements of the complainant before proceeding against him, police added.