Shivani Thakur
Published on: June 9, 2022, at 20:11 IST
The primary defendant in the 2003 shocking murder of an inter-caste couple in Tamil Nadu was given a life sentence by the Madras High Court, while two others serving life sentences were acquitted.
Based on an appeal filed by individuals found guilty by a Trial Court in Cuddalore District, the Madras High Court Bench comprised of Justice PN Prakash and Justice AA Nakkiran issued the decisions.
The court upheld the life sentences handed down to the other defendants, including the woman’s father, Duraisamy.
S Murugesan, a Dalit, married D Kannagi, a strong backward Vanniyar, in a sub-office registrar’s in May 2003.
Kannagi’s family kidnapped the couple and forced-fed them poison at a rural crematory. They poured poison into Kannagi’s ears and nose because she kept her mouth shut so tightly. They were also scorched as they fought for survival.
They accused Vriddhachalam police of colluding with the defendants, and the case was handed over to the CBI in 2004 after a Madras High Court decision.
In April 2021, all court processes were completed, and the final judgement was handed out in September of last year.
Last year, Justice S Uthamaraja of the Cuddalore District Special Court for the hearing of SC and ST matters sentenced Maruthupandiyan to death and 12 others to life in jail.
G Sugumaran, Secretary, Federation for People’s Rights who has been fighting for justice for Murugesan told Hindustan Times, “As human rights activists we never ask for death penalty. Maruthupandiyan is a gruesome man but we cannot change our principle depending on the case. We have always asked only for a life sentence so we welcome the verdict.”