The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday, March 25, took cognizance in the murder of retired police officer-turned-activist Zakhir Hussain.
Zakhir Hussain Bijli was an activist known for pursuing legal cases against the encroachment of Waqf land in Tirunelveli. In a Facebook video posted in 2025, he alleged that the police were colluding with individuals who were issuing death threats to him and that the police department was refusing to take proper action.
“The commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious violation of the human rights of the victim,” the NHRC statement said.
The commission has also issued notices to Tamil Nadu DGP Shankar Jiwal and Tirunelveli district Collector R Sukumar seeking a detailed report within four weeks.
Zakhir had been legally fighting a man named Mohammed Thoufiq and his wife, Noorunisa, over allegations that they had encroached on 36 cents of Waqf land using falsified documents. The case was pending before the Waqf tribunal. He had also claimed that he was receiving threats from Thoufiq and Noorunisa. In his video, Zakhir alleged, “Both the Tirunelveli town inspector Gopalakrishnan and ACP Senthil Kumar are responsible for encouraging Thoufiq and his group to murder me.”
After the murder, Zakhir Hussain’s son had posted a video alleging that his life was also in danger. The police in response have provided security personnel at his residence for round-the-clock protection.
On March 18, Zakhir was returning home on his bike after offering Fajr (morning prayers) when he was waylaid by a four-member armed gang and hacked to death. Hours after Zakhir died, two men surrendered at the Tirunelveli criminal magistrate court. However, their identities and any potential links to the crime have not yet been disclosed.
On March 19, police tracked Thoufiq to Reddiapatty in Perumalpuram and arrested him. Before the arrest, Thoufiq allegedly attacked Head Constable Anand with a sickle, prompting the police to open fire.
On March 22, a 16-year-old boy, a relative of one of the accused, was arrested in connection with the murder for allegedly informing the gang over phone when Zakhir Hussain left the mosque after finishing prayers. He would be lodged in a juvenile home, after being produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
On March 23, M Peer Mohammed, 37, the brother of Noorunisha was arrested in connection with the case.
Zakhir was one of the administrators of the Murtim Zarkhan Dargha, and served as the Mutawalli (a person in charge of managing a Waqf property) of a property in Tirunelveli town. He was also previously part of the late TN Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s security detail.