BJP Leader Annamalai Faces Case Over Politicizing Woman's Death in Cuddalore

The Cuddalore district police have registered a case against Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai for making false allegations that a woman was murdered by a group of men because she didn't vote for the DMK alliance in the recent Lok Sabha polls. The police investigation revealed that the woman, J Gomathi, was actually killed in an ongoing family dispute.

According to the police, there was enmity between two families in the village. During a fight that broke out on April 19, 2024, Kalaimani and his relatives assaulted Jayasankar and Gomathi. Gomathi sustained internal injuries and died. The police have booked Annamalai under sections of the Indian Penal Code for provocation, intentional insult, and statements conducive to public mischief.

Earlier, three other people were also booked for spreading false information about Gomathi's death on social media. The police have arrested five people, including Kalaimani, his wife, and three others, and are actively pursuing the remaining suspects. Three more persons - Pandian, Arun Chezhiyan, and Raja - who belong to the same village as the victim, have also been arrested in connection with the murder.

Why this matters: The politicization of a woman's tragic death has sparked tensions between communities in the region. The spread of disinformation on social media about such incidents can have serious consequences, potentially inciting further violence and unrest.

Annamalai has responded to the case against him by posting a video of Gomathi's husband, who claims the real reason for her killing was her voting for BJP, not previous enmity. Annamalai accused the "Fascist DMK government" of filing "frivolous cases" against him for exposing the truth. The Tamil Nadu police released a statement providing their account of the incident and the charges filed against the accused individuals involved. "The incident was a result of pre-enmity between two groups, and Gomathi was injured while trying to pacify them," the police stated.

Key Takeaways

• Cuddalore police booked BJP leader Annamalai for false claims on woman's murder.
• Police investigation revealed woman's death was due to ongoing family dispute, not voting.
• 5 people, including Kalaimani and his wife, arrested in connection with the murder.
• Spread of disinformation on social media can incite violence and unrest.
• Police refuted Annamalai's claims, stating the incident was due to pre-existing enmity.