Tirunelveli police arrest murder suspect; inspector suspended

A former police sub-inspector named Zakhir Hussain Bijili was murdered in Tirunelveli, raising concerns about police involvement. Zakhir had expressed fears for his life in a video posted in February, accusing some police officers of helping his attackers. Following his murder, local outrage prompted police action against key suspects. On March 19, 2025, police arrested Krishnamurthy, also known as Thowfeeque, the main suspect in Zakhir's murder. Reports indicate that Thowfeeque was shot in the leg when he allegedly attacked officers with a sickle during his arrest. He was found hiding near Reddiyarpatti and was taken to a hospital along with an injured officer. Both are reported to be in stable condition. The Inspector of Police, Gopalakrishnan, has been suspended, and disciplinary action is expected against the former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Senthil Kumar. This comes after Zakhir's family received his body, and they demand a thorough investigation into police misconduct. Zakhir’s son voiced concerns over police inaction, claiming his father's calls for help were ignored. Local political leaders have criticized the police for their handling of the situation. They argue that the police wrongfully charged Zakhir under a specific act despite his accuser's conversion to Islam, questioning the integrity of the police response. The murder highlights serious issues within the police system in Tirunelveli.