Tamil Nadu has withdrawn its petition in the Supreme Court that sought to halt a CBI investigation into the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party leader Armstrong. The move clears the way for the case to be transferred to the CBI in the coming days.
Armstrong, who served as the BSP’s Tamil Nadu state president, was hacked to death near his home in Perambur, Chennai, on July 5, 2024.
After the state police began investigating, Armstrong’s wife Porkodi approached the Madras High Court, alleging political interference and seeking a CBI probe. The High Court accepted the plea and ordered that the investigation be handed over to the CBI.
The then DMK government challenged the High Court order in the Supreme Court. Following a change in government in Tamil Nadu, the present administration led by Chief Minister Vijay decided to withdraw the earlier appeal, stating it had no objection to a CBI investigation.
A bench led by Justice K.V. Viswanathan permitted the withdrawal. The court also heard a plea seeking cancellation of bail for the accused and directed the CBI to respond, posting the matter for September 2.
