Click to play videoNew Delhi: The main accused in the attempted murder of government officials in Chennai has surrendered before the Tamil Nadu Police.
Senthil Kumar surrendered on Wednesday after being on the run for almost a month.
He is the prime suspect in the alleged attempt to murder of two Highway Department engineers in Kanyakumari.
The two engineers from the Highway Department and a policeman were deliberately mowed down by a car in full public view as they were going about their job, supervising demolition of an unauthorised temple in Kanyakumari district. Watch Video
The victims were enforcing a court order to remove a part of a temple which was an encroachment on a highway in Kanyakumari district.
The entire incident was caught on camera.
The two engineers, Anthony Xavier and Sundaram escaped, but with serious injuries. Senthil is the son of the priest of the temple — a part of which was being razed.
Kanyakumari SP, Santosh Kumar says, "Senthil surrendered in front of the judicial magistrate court on Wednesday morning. We were not very surprised as he had already got bail as has his brother-in-law who is a co-accused in the case. We will chargesheet the case. Senthil has to report to the police every evening."
Anthony Xavier said, "Court has given bail and so we cannot interfere now. We will take the matter up with the CID by going on strike. I have seen the man driving the car. I have resumed work though my injuries have not healed."
Last week, officials of the Highway Department had gone on strike, demanding that Senthil be arrested.
In the past, several officials fighting sand quarrying and prevention of the smuggling of PDS rice have faced similar attacks, but never before has it been caught so dramatically on tape.
ATTEMPT TO MURDER | |
 | The incident occurred on February 6 before scores of people when the driver of an ambassador car veered to the right of the road and ran over the three victims standing near a bulldozer. The incident was caught on the video being used to capture the demolition proceedings. However, the car sped away and the driver is absconding. |
| Police believe that a village headman, who was responsible for the temple constructed on government land, could have been behind the murder attempt. There were many protests against the demolition by the local people. |
| The incident came to light only on Monday, when the State Highways Department officials released a CD of the incident and demanded strong action against the culprits. |
| Attacks on government employees by vested interests were nothing new in the state. A Tasildar was killed by thugs, when he attempted to stop illicit sand quarrying in Kancheepuram district two years ago. |
| Some department officials, including a revenue inspector were attacked, when they attempt to prevent illegal sand quarrying in two other places. |
| The police registered a case of accident but the Highways Department officials were not satisfied with the two arrests. They requested the District Collector and Superintendent of Police to register a case of attempt to murder. Special squads have been formed to nab the culprits. |
| Meanwhile, official sources here said the Chief Engineer Highways, has ordered an enquiry into the matter by a senior official, who is expected to submit a report in a couple of days. |
| The Bar association of Nagercoil has allleged that the CD released by the officials were doctored ones. The lawyers have threatened to go on an agitation if the police arrested some persons on the basis of the CD. |
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