CM clarifies on probe into death of ex-DMK minister's brother

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami today said over 1,000 people have been questioned in connection with the death of KN Ramajeyam, brother of DMK leader and former Minister KN Nehru.
Two persons "close" to the deceased realtor-businessmen have also undergone polygraph test here after they made "contradictory statements," he said.
Palaniswami said angles including professional and personal rivalry are being probed.
Ramajayem, Nehru's younger brother, was abducted and killed by unidentified persons in Tiruchirappally in March 2012.
DMK leader Durai Murugan raised the matter while participating in a debate today.
Palaniswami said the case was being probed under the direct supervision of a CB-CID SP and an ADGP-level official had also made enquiries at Tiruchirappally.

He said the relatives of the deceased, his staff and professional and political contacts have been questioned.

"Over 1,100 witnesses have been questioned so far," he said.
Further, 294 vehicles have been checked and their owners questioned, in connection with the abduction of Ramajeyam, he said, adding, 2,910 mobile numbers have been listed and their owners enquired.
Two persons who had "close relations" with him have undergone a polygraph test after they made "contradictory statements", he said, adding another refused to undergo it.
There were "no direct witnesses" to the incident though Ramajeyam had "many professional and personal rivalries," he said.

Ramajeyam's wife had moved the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court seeking a CBI probe and based on the court's directions, regular status reports were being filed by the CB-CID during every hearing, he said.
The last hearing was on April 24 and the court heard both sides, he said.
Palaniswami expressed confidence of nabbing the culprits.
He also said the incident took place when the DMK was in power.
Earlier, Durai Murugan, who initiated today's debate, took exception to the absence of DGP TK Rajendiran and Chennai Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan in the House in the designated space for officials at the start of his speech.

He was demanding for the presence of the said officials since today's debate concerned the Police Department.
The ruling benches, however, pointed out that Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan was present.
Rajendiran was later seen seated in the designated gallery.
To a reference from Durai Murugan on the alleged suicide of a woman DSP probing the murder of a Dalit in 2015, the Chief Minister said that in a suicide note found from her house she has said "none is responsible for my death".
Vishnupriya had said her suicide should not be linked to the "important case," in which she was the Investigating Officer, he said.

The CB-CID had initially probed the case and a forensic test of the suicide note had concluded it "matched" her handwriting, the Chief Minister said.
He also pointed out that the case had been transferred to the CBI in June 2016 following a court order and that the central agency was probing the matter.