Chennai: DMK Lok Sabha member TRVS Ramesh on Monday surrendered before a court in connection with the murder of a labourer working in his cashew processing unit.
Ramesh, who was named as the prime accused in the case, surrendered before the Panruti Judicial Magistrate Court-1, two days after the Crime Branch-CID police slapped murder charges on him.
In a statement before surrendering before the court, he said the issue was being politicised by some parties with a view to tarnish the image of the DMK and that he would prove his innocence before the court of law.
Ramesh, who was elected from Cuddalore Parliamentary constituency, was booked by the CB-CID police in connection with the murder of Govindarasu (60), who was working as a labourer in the cashew processing unit owned by him at Panikankuppam.
The CB-CID police had already arrested five people, all employees of the cashew processing unit, on charges of the murder of Govindarasu of Melmampattu on 20 September.
The case, which was initially probed by the district police, was transferred to the CB-CID on the directions of Director General of Police C Sylendra Babu on 28 September.
The CB-CID police took over the probe and converted it into a murder case leading to the arrest of the five accused.
Govindarasu, who went to work on 20 September, did not return home and was found murdered under suspicious circumstances at the cashew processing unit.
After duty hours, Govindarasu was preparing to return home when two employees accosted him and assaulted him on charges of stealing a few kg of cashewnuts and later took him to the Kadampuliyur police station for lodging a complaint.
When the cops on duty found bleeding injuries on Govindarasuās face, they asked them to take him to a hospital for treatment.
However, they allegedly took the victim back to the cashew processing unit where Govindarasu was found dead a few hours later.
Police initially booked a case of unnatural death and later converted it into a murder following protests by his family members.
It may be noted that the personal assistant of Ramesh had on 20 September informed Govindarasu’s family that he had passed away and his body was kept at the Panruti government hospital.
Govindaraj’s family had found injury marks in his body and refused to take it from the hospital.
They lodged a complaint with the Cuddalore Collector and also filed a petition in the Madras High Court. Based on the Court’s order Govindaraj’s body was taken to JIPMER hospital for post mortem examination, before the probe was transferred to the CB-CID.