MADURAI: While three years have passed since the sensational murder of ‘Pottu’ Suresh, a key aide of expelled DMK leader M K Alagiri, in Madurai, the police still appear to be clueless about the whereabouts of the prime accused in the case V P Pandi alias ‘Attack’ Pandi (37), also a former associate of the politician.
Pandi’s non-traceability would also have a bearing on the CBI’s appeal in the Madras High Court bench here against his acquittal in the infamous Dinakaran office burning case in Madurai seven years ago in which three employees died. The High Court had on Wednesday resumed hearing of the appeal in the case in which 16 others were acquitted.
‘Pottu’ Suresh was publicly hacked to death on January 31, 2013 by an armed gang. The police arraigned 17 people, including Pandi, as accused in the case. While all others were arrested or surrendered and are now out on bail, the police miserably failed to nab Pandi.
Pandi’s anticipatory bail petitions in the murder case have been rejected by the courts. His family members have been interrogated by the police several times. He was also declared as a wanted criminal and posters were put up in late 2013 in Madurai city announcing reward for those who inform about the whereabouts of Pandi.
The police, through a court order, froze all his properties last year in a bid to pressure him to surrender but all the efforts have been in vain. Recently, the advocates who were representing him in various cases said that they will stop appearing for Pandi.
A police officer in Madurai claimed that all efforts were being taken to trace him. Another officer said that they were unable to make any headway as Pandi is believed to be avoiding using the cell phone, making it difficult to locate him using mobile tower signals either.