The Special Investigation Division of the CB-CID got a new lead in the murder cases of Auditor Ramesh and Vellaiyappan during interrogations with the four persons held in connection with Melapalayam explosives case, who revealed that one Paravai Badhusha alias Batcha (30) of Melapalayam is the man who arranged the cash for executing the killings.
Based on the information, the SID sleuths have included Badhusha as an accused in the Auditor Ramesh and Vellaiyappan murder cases and also in the case Melapalayam explosive seizure case. Cases under sections 153(A) 109 120(B) of IPC, 5 of Indian Explosive Substance Act. 1908 and 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 and 25 (1-A) Arms Act 1959 have been registered against Badhusha.
Giving detailed background of the activities in which Badhusha was involved, the personnel said he had allegedly mobilised funds for Jihad activities.
All these came to light during the interrogations held by the SID personnel with the four accused arrested connection with the seizure of explosives from a house at Melapalayam in Tirunelveli district, SID officials said.
The SID team, comprising SPs Anbu, Vijayakumari and Bhavaneeswari, has been searching for five prime accused including Police Fakrudeen, Bilal Malick, Panna Ismail, Abu backer Siddiq and Paravai Badhusha. Sleuths of the investigating agency said that Paravai Badhusha, who had earlier worked in various places in Chennai, Madurai and Tirunelveli, also operated as a ‘kuruvi’ (courier) for several hawala transaction. However, he was not booked in any of the murder cases of Hindu outfit leaders.
However, cops got information that he was the man who arranged money for the execution of the Hindu outfit leaders, the official added.
The State police have announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information on the four fugitives, Fakrudeen, Malick, Siddiq and Ismail.
However, Paravai Badhusha did not carry any reward. Following the disclosure made by the four accused in the Melapalayam explosives case about Badhusha, SID personnel included in the list of wanted notorious criminals and issued an alert to the police of all districts.
Police suspect that Paravai Badhusha had given Rs 6 lakh for terror activities in the State. However, a clear picture on his exact role in various cases would emerge only after the arrest of the four fugitives.
Special teams of SID that had fanned out to various places in Mumbai, Bangalore and Kerala in search of the four terrorists, returned to Chennai and Madurai.
Meanwhile, the SID has deployed police in mufti near Masjids, areas with thick Muslim population and near houses of the accused and their relatives, sources said and added that a special team has also been deputed to track mobile phone tower signals.