TN Raj Bhavan Says Police 'Suo Moto Diluted Attack As Act Of Simple Vandalism', 'Fair Investigation Is Killed Before It Began'

In a statement issued today (26 October), the Raj Bhavan stated that the police did not register made by them regarding the petrol bomb thrown yesterday (25 October) by an accused identified as Karukka Vinodh and diluted it as an "act of simple vandalism."

"Police did not register Raj Bhavan complaint on attack. Suo Moto diluted the attack as act of simple vandalism and in hurry got arrested accused remanded to jail at midnight waking up the magistrate and prevented detailed interrogation which could expose those behind attack.

Fair investigation is killed before it began."

According to a report by NewsTamil 24X7, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is also conducting inquiries into the case as a video of Vinodh with members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) after coming out on bail has emerged.

The report further states that the NIA is looking into details of persons with whom Vinodh had come into contact while in prison and those he had met in the days after being released on bail.

Earlier, in a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, which was released by the Raj Bhavan on social media platform X (formely Twitter), it was stated, "Some miscreants armed with petrol bombs tried to barge into through the Main Gate No.1 of the Raj Bhavan. However, alert sentries challenged them and prevented their entering the Raj Bhavan.

"Because of the vigilant security officials of the Raj Bhavan, today a grave untoward incident was averted. After the first petrol bomb was hurled at the main entrance Gate-1 of Raj Bhavan, it burst with huge sound and burnt the entrance. The security personnel rushed to capture the miscreants.

"Even when security personnel of Raj Bhavan attempted to subdue the attacker, another petrol bomb was hurled which resulted in severe damage to the main entrance to Raj Bhavan. Somehow, one of the assailants was overpowered by the Security."

Further, it stated that Governor RN Ravi was facing verbal attacks and threats to his life but the police had not taken necessary action.

"This is also to inform you that for the last several months there have been sustained vicious attacks on the Hon'ble Governor using filthy abuses and wielding threats to his life.

"These verbal attacks and threats to the Hon'ble Governor have been made mostly by leaders and workers of DMK and its allies in their public meetings and through their social media. These threats are intended to overawe the Hon'ble Governor and restrain him in discharging his Constitutional duties.

"However, complaints lodged with police have been inconsequential due to police inaction. To illustrate in an incident on April 18, 2022, the Hon'ble Governor was physically attacked with sticks and stones while he was on his way to attend a scheduled function at the Dharmapuram Adhinam. Complaint was lodged by Raj Bhavan, but FIR was not registered. No action was taken against the assailants.

"There have been incidents of public threats to the life of Hon'ble Governor. However, unfortunately in all these cases of abuse, attack and assault on the Hon'ble Governor, the police did not register FIR faithfully and instead trivialised the serious incidents into minor offences with no worthwhile follow-up. Such a studied indifference by police to serious threats to the Hon'ble Governor have vitiated the security of the Hon'ble Governor and Raj Bhavan. Today's brazen bomb attacks on the Raj Bhavan is a consequence of it.

"Sir, consistent ongoing verbal and physical threats and attacks on the Hon'ble Governor, the highest Constitutional authority in the State have led to the deterioration of security to such an extent that now brazen bomb attacks have begun. I urge you to take serious cognizance of today's attacks which constitute offences including u/s.124 IPC specifically intended for threats to a Governor.

"A Governor cannot work under the shadow of constant threats. Hence, I urge you to take it seriously and do the needful to ensure proper investigation, due punishment to all the involved persons including conspirators behind the attacks and proper security to the Hon'ble Governor."