Armstrong murder case: Sambhav Senthil located in U.K.; passport impounded, extradition process on

Sambhav Senthil is wanted in several criminal cases and has allegedly been operating from abroad, while evading arrest for nearly two decades. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Notorious gangster Sambhav Senthil and his associate Mottai Krishnan, both suspected key conspirators in the 2024 murder of BSP leader K. Armstrong, have been traced to the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), respectively. Their passports have been impounded, and efforts are under way to secure their extradition to India, according to a status report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) before the Supreme Court.The CBI said the roles of the two absconding accused were being investigated in detail. While Senthil has been absconding from India since 2015, Krishnan alias Krishna Kumar left the country after Armstrong’s murder on July 5, 2024.The agency is examining digital and scientific evidence to establish the alleged involvement of the two men in the crime. It is also investigating the role of Siva (A-21), who allegedly helped Krishnan flee India after the murder. Available evidence indicates that Siva travelled with Krishnan to New Delhi, from where the latter left the country, the CBI said.The Greater Chennai City Police had traced Senthil’s whereabouts in the U.K. last year. He is wanted in several criminal cases and has allegedly been operating from abroad while evading arrest for nearly two decades.Armstrong was hacked to death by a gang armed with machetes at around 7:15 p.m. on July 5, 2024, when he was inspecting the construction of his house in Perambur. Some of the assailants allegedly disguised themselves as food delivery agents.After completing the investigation, the Sembium police filed a charge sheet on November 1, 2024 against 30 accused, including two absconders. In September 2025, the Madras High Court quashed the charge sheet filed by the Greater Chennai City Police, citing deficiencies, and ordered a fresh investigation by the CBI. The central agency took up the probe on August 6, 2026.According to the CBI, 26 of the 30 accused have been interrogated in detail to ascertain their roles. The investigation so far indicates that 10 accused physically carried out the murder, while the others allegedly played different roles, including conspiracy, abetment, arranging and delivering country-made bombs, providing financial assistance, conducting reconnaissance on Armstrong, and helping accused persons escape.The agency is also analysing call records and subscriber details of more than 50 shortlisted mobile numbers linked to the arrested accused, their associates and other suspects to identify common links.Investigators are examining internet data logs to determine whether messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, along with digital SIMs, were used for private calls and messages. The CBI is seeking to establish direct digital communication between the suspected key conspirators by correlating timestamps and device internet addresses, the report said. Published - October 27, 2026 08:12 pm IST