NIA arrests two in Villianur bomb blast case

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two accused persons in the 2023 Villianur bomb blast case after extensive searches in four locations in Puducherry, including the Central Prison of the Union Territory, NIA said in a statement late on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Heram alias Karthi and Udhayakumar, were arrested on Thursday for leaking sensitive information, including the names and other details about protected witnesses, in the case, in which a political functionary, Senthil Kumaran, was killed. Six bike-borne assailants had hurled a country-made bomb to stun the victim before hacking him to death using machetes and knives in Villianur in 2023, as per the NIA.

The NIA investigation revealed that the two accused had colluded with others, including the prime accused Nithyanandam alias Anuthi to obtain and disseminate the names, identities and mobile numbers of the protected witnesses. Nithi, along with 12 others, was chargesheeted by NIA on September 21, 2023. While Nithi is currently lodged in Yanam prison, the other accused are being held in Central Prison, Kalapet, Puducherry, the agency said.


The NIA teams seized mobile phones, SIM cards and other incriminating documents, including materials revealing the identities of the protected witnesses. The agency is continuing with its investigation to uncover the larger criminal conspiracy behind the killing, and to identify others.