(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has protested the arrest of a reporter from the Tamil-language magazine “Nakkheeran” in what is seen as a renewed attempt by the authorities in the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu to implicate the staff of this independent magazine in a murder allegedly committed by the well-known local bandit Veerappan. The reporter, Subramaniyam, […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has protested the arrest of a reporter from the Tamil-language magazine “Nakkheeran” in what is seen as a renewed attempt by the authorities in the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu to implicate the staff of this independent magazine in a murder allegedly committed by the well-known local bandit Veerappan.
The reporter, Subramaniyam, was abducted by Tamil Nadu police in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the neighbouring state of Kerala, on 6 February 2004 while he was in a car with his wife and son. The police officers handcuffed, blindfolded and beat him.
Subramaniyam’s family immediately reported the kidnapping and gave the licence number of the car used by the Tamil Nadu police. The family was stopped at a Kerala police checkpoint, but they were able to continue following the intervention of a Tamil Nadu officer. Certain Kerala police officers have complained of “illegal practices” by their colleagues.
The Tamil Nadu police told Subramaniyam he was accused of involvement in a murder that is being blamed on Veerappan, who has been wanted by the authorities for years. The police reportedly tapped Subramaniyam’s phone calls and were able to locate him in Kerala by following his wife.
Subramaniyam was brought before a judge in Erode, western Tamil Nadu, on 7 February. The judge ordered him placed in custody until 20 February while police continue their investigation. He is being held in Coimbatore prison.
The police claimed a warrant was issued for Subramaniyam’s arrest more than one year ago. His wife and colleagues fear that he may be tortured to make him confess to being linked to Veerappan or to make him sign a statement implicating “Nakkheeran” editor R. R. Gopal in the crime.
The authorities have been harassing Gopal and his staff for two years, and RSF is concerned that Subramaniyam’s arrest may herald a new offensive against the magazine and its staff. The organisation called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Selvi J. Jayalalithaa to have Subramaniyam released immediately and the charges dropped.
Gopal has a half dozen cases pending against him. He was detained for several months in 2003 for his alleged implication in two murders attributed to Veerappan (see IFEX alerts of 23 December, 17 and 14 April, 26 and 3 February 2003). “Nakkheeran” magazine is well-known for revealing scandals implicating Jayalalithaa’s first administration in the early 1990s.
