TN: DMK man, 2 others held for human sacrifice

Madurai: A DMK leader and two others have been arrested in Madurai in connection with an alleged case of human sacrifice of a five-year-old Dalit girl in January, 2011.

A Ayubkhan, a member of DMK General Council, and brokers A Murugesan and T Ponnuchamy were arrested recently by the Madurai unit of the Crime-Branch CID police in connection with the incident that occurred in Vadipatti near Madurai, police said.

Initial investigation revealed that Ayubkhan had been advised by his astrologer to get the blood of a girl child after killing her, to conduct a ritual to ensure the smooth running of his newly constructed college.

The five-year-old Dalit girl was found covered in a plastic bag and abandoned in a cattle shed in Katchaikatti village on January 2, 2011.

Police also arrested Ponnusamy and Murugesan, who were engaged by Ayubkhan for identifying the girl for sacrifice, CB-CID Inspector John Britto said on Saturday.

The body of the girl was found covered in a plastic bag and abandoned in a cattle shed in Katchaikatti village on January 2 last year with cut injuries on her neck and back of her head.

The case was transferred to the CB CID on the order of the DGP following representations from the girl's family and human rights activists.

Police had earlier arrested one Karuppu and his father Mahamuni, who had allegedly killed the girl at Ponnusamy's behest in exchange for a "huge" amount of money.

Karuppu tried to cut off his tongue while in police custody and later committed suicide. Mahamuni also died later due to some illness.

Various human rights organisations had demanded a probe into the death of Karuppu and Mahamuni.

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