Who is Chennai professor N Shanmugham who cursed Ayodhya advocate Rajeev Dhavan?

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to a Chennai-based professor — one N Shanmugham — in response to a contempt of court petition filed by senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan. Dhavan's petition alleged that the professor had threatened him, in a letter that he received on August 14, for appearing for Muslim parties in the Ayodhya case. Kapil Sibal had appeared for Dhavan in this regard. 

Shanmugham who claims to be 88 years old cursed the advocate for representing Muslims in the neverending Ayodhya case, "Hindus will not forgive you (Dhavan) for your present role. If you have a conscience, recuse yourself immediately and go back home and sit quietly ruling over your fate. Waiting for the lord’s judgment." Even though a notice was issued by the Constitution Bench hearing the Ayodhya case, the professor was not asked to be physically present in court. The professor's identity is yet to be known and he has no presence online. The closest match to his name is Dr Narkunaraja Shanmugam Professor of the Bharathidasan University in Trichy but he is NOT the same man. Dr Narkunaraja is just 46 years old and should not be mistaken as the writer of this letter in question. 

The letter also said that Shanmugham has since, February 1941, chanted Gayatri Mantra 50,00,000 times. "From Sept 1958 till today, I have read Chapter 10 of the Gita 2,7000 times. With that tongue, I curse you," the man wrote. "Very soon my Lord will give you the punishment you deserve... You will live like a vegetable and a burden on the Earth, laughed and derided at by society. Your family shall perish without anyone to lit (sic) the fire," he further cursed the advocate.

Dhavan also told the court that this is not an isolated instance of threats being made to him over his appearance in the Ayodhya case. He quoted several WhatsApp messages sent by one Sanjay Kalal Bajrangi — screenshots of which have also been annexed to the plea. "Vakeel Sahib, Please give your full support in getting a positive decision on Ram Mandir matter. The next generation shall forever keep you. Please be with Hindu Society. The words of your final journey shall be chanted as Ram Nam Satya," read one message.