In a significant development in the ongoing Niyamat Ali murder investigation, Niyaz, one of the accused who had been absconding for several weeks, surrendered before the magistrate on October 17. The accused appeared along with his lawyer and submitted himself to the judicial process, marking a crucial step in the high-profile case that has gripped the Andaman community since late August.
According to official sources, Niyaz’s surrender came after sustained efforts by the investigation team to trace his whereabouts. The accused had reportedly gone into hiding soon after the case came to light, following the arrest of Muntaqeem, along with Ayan and Sufiyan, which was linked to a gruesome murder of Niyamat Ali that took place in Chennai on August 28.
Sources confirmed that the magistrate granted judicial custody (JC) after the surrender, and Niyaz has since been lodged pending further interrogation and procedural formalities. His voluntary appearance before the court is being viewed as a tactical legal move, aimed at cooperating with the investigation
The murder case has already seen multiple arrests. According to investigators, it is alleged that the main accused – Muntaqeem, Ayan, and Sufiyan – were involved in the alleged strangulation of Niyamat in a car in Chennai, before transporting the body to Odisha, where they disposed of it in a river. The car allegedly used in the act was later found burnt in Andhra Pradesh, reportedly in an attempt to destroy evidence.
With Niyaz’s surrender, the probe is expected to gain further momentum, particularly in piecing together the conspiracy and sequence of events leading to and following the murder. Authorities are likely to interrogate him to clarify his alleged role, whether he was directly involved in the planning, post-crime movements, or aiding the accused.
The Niyamat Ali case has evoked widespread public attention across the islands, not only for its brutality but also for the interstate trail of the crime. With all major accused now either arrested or under judicial custody, the case appears to be entering a decisive stage.
Authorities are expected to file supplementary charge sheets in the coming weeks based on new disclosures from Niyaz’s interrogation. Meanwhile, the police reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that every person involved in the crime is brought to justice through due legal process.
