Puducherry Congress demands CBI probe into murder of former BJP Yuva Morcha functionary

Puducherry Congress demands CBI probe into murder of former BJP Yuva Morcha functionary

Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder of Uma Shankar, the former vice-president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s youth wing, Yuva Morcha, former Chief Minister and Congress leader V. Narayanasamy on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) said that the incidents leading to the gruesome execution of the youth leader were a reflection of the prevailing poor law and order situation in Puducherry.

Addressing a press conference in the Union Territory, the Congress leader said the former functionary of the Yuva Morcha was murdered on the night of April 26. Four days before the murder, the deceased had given a complaint to the Lawspet police about a threat to his life. His father, Kasilingam, had also met the Chief Minister and apprised him of the threat to his son’s life, the Congress leader alleged.

“The murder occurred despite the family informing the Chief Minister and police about this threat. After the murder, the case was transferred to Gorimedu police for investigation and a ruling party legislator himself has sought a CB-CID probe. For an impartial probe, the government should hand over the case to the CBI. The Congress party will meet the Lt. Governor to place before him the demand for a CBI probe,” Mr. Narayanasamy said.

Recalling the statement given by Senior Superintendent of Police, Law and Order, R. Kalaivanan, at a press conference on Monday (April 28, 2025), the former Chief Minister said the SSP had pointed to certain issues that dominated Samipillaithottam, where the deceased lived. The police officer had identified disputes over the opening of a liquor outlet and issues related to land and temple administration, which possibly led to the murder. The SSP had also denied any political connection to the murder, the Congress leader said.

“Even before the completion of the investigation, the SSP has denied any political connection to the murder. However, the Congress party is of the view that the real motive behind the murder was something to do with land dispute, and there is a political connection to the incident. An investigation by the CBI is required to bring out the truth,” he said.

Criticising Chief Minister N. Rangasamy for the law and order situation in Puducherry, the Congress leader said several murder and land-grabbing cases have emerged after the AINRC-BJP came to power. “A ruling party functionary was murdered in Villianur in 2023. Now, another functionary has been hacked to death. These murders reflect the law and order situation. Incidents of land-grabbing have also increased,” he said.