Close aide of Veerappan surrenders in Chennai

Murugesan, a close aide of slain forest brigand Veerappan, who had been evading the police dragnet for long, on Friday surrendered before the judicial magistrate at Mathurantakam near here, police said.

Murugesan, who was arrested on January 25, 1994, came out on bail on November 13, 1999, on condition that he should sign the register at 'Q' branch CID office, Cuddalore every Monday. But he abstained from signing from November 6, 2000 and had been absconding for the past six years, police said. Murugesan alias Alapakkam Murugesan alias Cheziyan, was an active cadre of the outlawed Tamil Nadu Liberation Army and was involved in a number of cases, including attacks on police stations in Cuddalore district and a bomb blast at a Gandhi statue at Villupuram town.

Due to pressure applied by special teams, which closely monitored his movements, he surrendered before the Magistrate, who remanded him to 15 days judicial custody at Central Prison, Cuddalore, police said.

Bureau Report