Ex-Police Officer Hacked To Death In TN's Tirunelveli Over Land Dispute; Two Suspects Surrender In Court

The victim Zakhir Hussain Bijli (64), an activist fighting against encroachment of Waqf land, was attacked near Kaatchi Mandapam while returning home on his motorcycle after morning prayers.

A retired police officer who once served in the Special Protection Group (SPG) for former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was brutally hacked to death in Tirunelveli on Tuesday. The murder came just days after he claimed that he was receiving death threats. The incident, which appears to be linked to a land dispute, has triggered widespread shock and political reactions.

The victim, Zakhir Hussain Bijli (64), a former Sub-Inspector of Police and an activist fighting against encroachment of Waqf land, was attacked near Kaatchi Mandapam while returning home on his motorcycle after morning prayers, as per a report on The News Minute. A four-member gang intercepted him and fatally assaulted him with sharp weapons.

Following the murder, two of the accused, Karthik and Akbar, both from Tirunelveli, surrendered before Judicial Magistrate IV later that day. The police are actively searching for the remaining suspects, reported IANS.

Land Dispute As Possible Motive

Investigations suggest that Bijli was embroiled in a long-standing legal dispute over a 36-cent land parcel in Tirunelveli. As the administrator of the Murtim Zarkhan Dargah, he maintained that the land belonged to the Waqf Board, while the wife of one of the accused, Toufiq, claimed it was a private inheritance from her mother. The dispute escalated into a legal battle earlier this year.

Bijli had reportedly expressed concerns over his safety. In a recent social media video, he stated that he had received threats after speaking out against alleged encroachments on Waqf Board lands.

Political Reactions

The murder has drawn strong political criticism. Taking to X, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai condemned the killing, stating, "The news that retired police officer Mr. Zakir Hussain was hacked to death in Tirunelveli on his way back from morning prayers is deeply shocking. A video was released a few days ago in which he said that he had received death threats after he spoke out against those who had encroached on Waqf Board lands, after he was involved in social welfare work after retirement."

"Law and order in Tamil Nadu has deteriorated to the point where a retired police officer has been threatened and murdered," he added.