The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today arrested two accused persons in connection with the 2023 Villianur bomb blast case in Tamil Nadu, for allegedly leaking details of protected witnesses.According to an NIA release, searches were carried out at four locations in Puducherry, including the Central Prison. The arrested have been identified as Herman alias Karthi alias TR and Udhayakumar alias Kumar. They were found leaking sensitive information, including names and details of protected witnesses in the case where political functionary Senthil Kumaran was killed.
On the night of the incident at around 9.30 pm, six bike-borne assailants hurled a country-made bomb to stun the victim before hacking him to death with machetes and knives in Villianur.
Investigations revealed that the two arrested today had colluded with others, including the prime accused Nithyanandam alias Nithi, to obtain and circulate the names, identities and mobile numbers of witnesses.
Nithi, along with 12 others, had been charge-sheeted by the NIA on September 21, 2023. While Nithi is currently lodged in Yanam Prison under Puducherry UT, the other accused are being held in Kalapet Central Prison in Puducherry.
Recent intelligence reports indicated that Nithi and his associates illicitly obtained witness identities and used them to threaten and coerce witnesses, attempting to obstruct justice.
Acting on this, the NIA conducted coordinated searches today at Yanam and Kalapet prisons and two other locations. Officials seized mobile phones, SIM cards, and incriminating documents containing details of witnesses.
The NIA said investigations are ongoing to uncover the larger conspiracy behind the killing and identify others who violated Section 17 of the NIA Act, read with Section 44 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, by revealing the identity of witnesses and endangering their safety.