COIMBATORE:The Coimbatore District Police have arrested 41-year-old N Balaji, a resident of Thondamuthur Main Road, an alleged accomplice of the prime accused in a triple murder case after they found an unlicensed pistol with him during a vehicle check.
The weapon, along with four bullets, were found when the police, while checking vehicles on Thursday on Ajanur Road, Vadavalli, stopped Balaji's car. A fish-feed seller, Balaji is a native of the same village in Dindigul district as Mohan Ram, the prime accused in the Sulur triple murder case. In the incident in August, three men were butchered on the busy Tiruchy Road. Balaji allegedly got the firearm two years ago from Mohan Ram, who is facing a number of charges in several police stations in Tamil Nadu. Mohan Ram is now absconding.
The police formally arrested Balaji, a fish feed seller, on Friday and booked him under Section 3 (not possessing licence for acquisition and possession of firearms and ammunition) and 25(1)(B) of the Indian Arms Act. He has been remanded. The police have seized the pistol and the bullets and sent them to the Forensics Science Laboratory in Chennai for ballistic testing.
Superintendent of Police R V Ramya Bharathi, who confirmed the arrest, said investigations were underway to find whether Balaji was involved in any prior offences.
The police said the weapon pistol seized from Balaji was not used in the Sulur triple murder. However, they are investigating whether the pistol was used in any other offence involving Mohan Ram and his gang.
Three Minors Held for Theft
The Mettupalayam police arrested three minors, all aged between 15 and 17 years, caught stealing Rs 1,000 in cash and a mobile phone from inside a house in Bharathi Nagar, Karamadai Road, Mettupalayam on Thursday. Police said the complainant, K Ramesh Kumar (33), an electrician, saw the boys stealing the items, and raised an alarm. The three were arrested and sent to the Observation Home for Juvenile offenders here.