Chennai: Six special police teams from Tamilnadu have reached Dehi to issue summons, enquire and if needed arrest Tehelka’s former managing editor Samuel Mathew for releasing a video, in which the accused in the case allegedly linked Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to the break-in at Kodanad estate.
A day after the video was released, Palaniswami rejected allegations made against him by those accused in the Kodanad estate break-in case, saying the police would probe the matter. Denying his involvement, Palaniswami said, “Police case had been filed in the matter and that strong action would be taken against those who released the video.” He suspected a political motive behind the matter.
A complaint was lodged in this regard against Samuel Mathew by AIADMK IT wing office-bearer Rajan Sathya with Chennai Central Crime Branch. Following the complaint, cases were registed against Samuel and his subordinates. They said summons would be issued to them. Six special teams of police left for Delhi to enquire further.
Meanwhile Samuel today said that the video was brought out after thorough investigation by their team and he is ready to face any case against him.
In April 2017, the security guard of the Kodanad estate was found dead. It emerged during the probe that former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s ex-driver Kanagaraj and one Sayan had allegedly plotted the crime. A total of 10 people had been arrested in the case, with a charge sheet also being filed later.
However, Kanagaraj and Sayan’s wife and daughter were killed in separate road accidents during the probe, even as another employee of the property was found dead, in a case of suspected suicide.
Palaniswami said the accused, some of whom reportedly spoke in the video, had appeared in court 22 times in connection with the case so far, and questioned why they did not share the same in the court. “They are saying such new things in an attempt to divert the case,’ he said, adding that some of them were already facing other cases, including under POCSO, besides robbery.”
Condemning the report about Jayalalithaa possessing reports of partymen, Palaniswami said that was an attempt to cast aspersions on the former Chief Minister.