Resident of Ukkadam in Coimbatore Syed Abuthahir (29), was named accused under 302 of IPC in the Sasikumar murder case.
According to CB-CID officials, he had role in the murder of the Hindu Munnani leader and close association with Sadam Hussain, a key accused in the case.
The CJM court in Coimbatore remanded Abuthahir in judicial custody for 15 days.
Earlier, Abuthahir, who was allegedly picked up by police on Monday night in connection with the murder of Hindu Munnani activist Sasikumar on September 22, 2016 near Thudialur, was found in the custody of the Special Investigation Division (SID) CB-CID at its office on PRS campus here on Wednesday afternoon
After finding the youth in an hour-long search conducted by him on an order passed by Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) K.R. Mathurasekaran, judicial magistrate-III V.P. Velusamy directed the investigating officers to produce Abuthahir before the court on Wednesday itself.
His family members were allowed to meet him.
"The CJM court had directed the magistrate to conduct a search and produce Abuthahir before the court. Though Abuthahir was found in the custody of the CB-CID during the search, the magistrate failed to take him to the court and record his statement. His statement was recorded at the place where he was found in custody. Instead, the magistrate left the office directing the police to produce him before the court. We have moved a petition in the CJM court pointing to abuse of process," said advocate A. Nowfal who moved a petition under provisions of Section 97 of CrPC on behalf of Abuthahir's parents.
According to Abuthahir’s father, E.M. Jafar Ali, the CB-CID team had interrogated his son many times in connection with Sasikumar's murder. "Abuthahir is the friend of one Sadam Hussain . However, my son has has no role in the case," claimed Mr. Ali.
Abuthahir’s wife Sumaiya alleged that her husband underwent torture at the hands of the interrogators.
Mr. Nowfal said the inspection by the magistrate proved that Abuthahir was in illegal custody of the CB-CID for more than 24 hours. Abuthahir was taken into custody by the CB-CID team headed by DSP Balamurugan from Kottaimedu around 11.30 p.m. on Monday.
“We have CCTV footage to prove illegal custody by the CB-CID for over 24 hours,” said Mr. Ali.
