Madras HC raises concerns over security issues on its premises

Madras HC expresses concern over security lapses after AAG submits report on bombs being brought into court.

AAG P. Kumaresan submitted a status report to the court on the allegations that country made bombs were brought into the court and handed over to accused in the murder of State Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President K. Armstrong.

He submitted CCTV footage of individuals carrying bombs in lunch bags.

Six lawyers involved in the incident have been suspended by the Bar Council.

A division bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and N. Jothiraman was hearing a batch of petitions to quash the Goonda Act invoked against the accused in Armstrong’s murder case.

During the hearing the bench expressed concern over the consequences of the incident.

Justice Subramaniam asked, "What if the bombs had exploded in the court? How many lives would we have lost? What if the blast damaged the statue of B.R. Ambedkar?"

The court sought opinions from stakeholders including advocate associations, police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to strengthen the security in the court premises.

It also asked the advocates to cooperate with the security checks and be sensitive and vigilant.

The petitioners counsel however objected to the allegations and said there was no concrete evidence to support the claims.

The bench posted the matter for further hearing on January 29 to evolve a comprehensive security solution.

K. Armstrong a lawyer and State BSP President was brutally murdered on July 5, 2024 in front of his under construction house in Perambur near Chennai.

An eight member gang led by Ponnai Balu (brother of slain gangster Arcot Suresh) surrendered the same evening and confessed that the murder was in retaliation for Suresh’s killing which they claimed Armstrong had masterminded.

A special team formed by Chennai Police Commissioner M. Arun investigated and found that three gangs had conspired to plan the murder.

Armstrong was hacked to death by Balu and his associates.

Further investigation revealed that gangster Nagendran who has been in prison for 26 years and another gangster Sambhav Senthil financed and orchestrated the murder.

Nagendran had a grudge against Armstrong as he claimed Armstrong had stalled his son Ashwathaman’s political career.

Ashwathaman a lawyer and state office bearer of Tamil Nadu Youth Congress has since been expelled from the party.

Sambhav Senthil had disputes with Armstrong over real estate deals.

Twenty seven persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of State BSP President.

Among them 23 including Ponnai Balu and Ashwathaman are in Puzhal Central Prison. But Sambhav Senthil and two of his associates Krishna Kumar and Appu are absconding.