Madras HC denies bail to cop suspended in murder case

MADURAI: The Madras high court has denied bail to a suspended police inspector accused in a murder case in Virudhunagar district, considering the nature of the charges and the stage of investigation in the case.

Justice B. Pugalendhi, while dismissing the bail plea filed by police inspector V. Sathiya Sheela, accused in the murder of V. Ramar (60), said her counsel submitted that she had been thrown into the case. However, the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) said two cases — one in Pudukottai and the other in Sivaganga (CB-CID) — were already pending against her.

The murder took place on May 21, 2024, with the petitioner claiming that it was a result of a dispute over the installation of a lion statue in a temple, the court said. The APP found that the prime accused in the case was in a relationship with Sathiya, who along with another woman kicked Ramar, following which he fell down and died. The petitioner is also accused in the Keeranur police station case for allegedly accepting a bribe and refraining from taking action in a criminal case, the court said.

Though the officer has been suspended by the police, the court is not inclined to grant her bail considering the nature of the charges against her and the stage of investigation in the murder case, the judge said. It may be noted that Sathya Sheela has been arrested by the Srivilliputhur city police in connection with the Ramar murder.

According to the prosecution, Ramar and his family members got into an argument with Ramasamy and his family during a temple festival on May 21. During the conflict, Ramar was attacked by Ramasamy, after which he fainted and later sustained injuries. Initially, a case was registered under IPC 307 (attempt to murder), which was later changed to IPC 302 (murder).