The body of K Armstrong, BSP’s Tamil Nadu chief who was hacked to death near his Chennai home Friday, cannot be buried at the party’s office in the state capital, the Madras High Court ruled today, upholding the DMK government’s stand.
The court said K Armstrong’s body can be buried in a one-acre privately-owned plot in the adjoining Thiruvalluvar district. It added that the funeral procession taken out by BSP supporters must be held peacefully.
Earlier, the slain BSP leader’s wife K Porkodi had filed a petition in court, seeking its approval to bury the body at the Chennai party office. But the local civic body argued that the BSP office is located in a narrow lane in a congested area, and crowding there could lead to a stampede-like situation.
Justice V Bhavani Subbarayan observed that the place the petitioner had chosen for the burial was a passage. He also asked if the petitioner had an alternative location in mind. The petitioner then came up with the Thiruvalluvar spot. The local panchayat has made the necessary arrangements.
K Armstrong’s family had also said they wanted to build a memorial. The high court has asked them to proceed with the funeral procession and said that they can approach the state government over the memorial later.
The 47-year-old state BSP chief was hacked to death by at least six people near his home on Fridat evening. Eight suspects have been arrested so far, and the city police have ruled out any political angle to the heinous crime.
BSP chief Mayawati has demanded a CBI investigation into the attack. “I urge the state government, especially the CM, to ensure law and order in the state. The weaker sections, in particular, should feel safe. Had the government been serious, the accused would have been arrested. Since that is not the case, we urge the state government to refer the case to the CBI,” she said.
