The accused-Nithyanantham alias Nithi, Siva Sankar, Vengatesh, Ezhumalai, Heram alias TR alias Karthi, and Udhayakumar-have been charged before a Special Court in Puducherry under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the National Investigation Agency Act.

Four of these individuals-Nithyanantham, Siva Sankar, Vengatesh, and Ezhumalai-had been previously chargesheeted for their involvement in the main terror offence connected to the killing of Kumaran. The latest chargesheet introduces additional allegations against them and includes charges against Karthi and Udhayakumar for allegedly obtaining confidential witness information and issuing threats.

Senthil Kumaran, a local BJP functionary, was murdered in March 2023 when six assailants on motorcycles attacked him with explosives and sharp weapons in Villianur, Puducherry. The case was initially handled by local police before being taken over by the NIA.

Investigations revealed that the accused conspired from within Central Prison Kalapet and Special Prison Yanam to unlawfully access confidential documents containing details of witnesses, including protected witnesses, with the intent of intimidating them and disrupting the trial.

Earlier, the NIA sought the transfer of the prime accused from Central Prison Kalapet to Special Prison Yanam after uncovering the alleged conspiracy. Searches conducted in September 2025 at prisons and residences associated with the accused resulted in the seizure of several incriminating materials.

The inquiry into the conspiracy to intimidate witnesses is ongoing. The NIA has encouraged citizens to provide any pertinent information, assuring that informants’ identities will be kept confidential.