Madras High Court Reverses Acquittal, Convicts 21 to Life in 2013 Election-Related Murder
In a significant judicial reversal, the Madras High Court on Tuesday overturned an eight-year-old acquittal, convicting 21 individuals to life imprisonment for the murder of a man in Villupuram in 2013, a crime rooted in election rivalry. The division bench of Justice P Velmurugan and Justice M Jothiraman delivered the verdict, stating that the prosecution had proven its case beyond all reasonable doubt.
Court Criticizes Trial Court's Misappreciation of Evidence
The bench emphasized that the evidence presented by eyewitnesses was cogent, consistent, and reliable, and it was corroborated by other material evidence. They noted that the trial court had discarded this reliable evidence on untenable grounds, focusing excessively on minor discrepancies and trivial contradictions that did not undermine the core of the prosecution's case. Such an approach amounts to a clear misappreciation of evidence and renders the acquittal perverse, the bench added, highlighting the flaws in the initial judgment.
Background of the 2013 Murder Case
According to the prosecution, the murder stemmed from prior enmity between Baskar and Krishnaveni, related to the Kiliyanur panchayat election. On May 29, 2013, Baskar attended a function at the local Mariamman temple. After returning home with his wife, Amudha, around 12:30 AM on May 30, 2013, Krishnaveni and the other accused allegedly assembled in front of Baskar's house, armed with deadly weapons, with the intent to murder him. When Baskar attempted to escape, the gang chased him down and killed him.
Legal Proceedings and Appeal
Following the trial, on April 28, 2017, the court acquitted all 23 accused persons. Dissatisfied with this outcome, Baskar's wife, Amudha, filed an appeal with the Madras High Court. The bench, after a thorough re-appreciation of the evidence, allowed the appeal, finding 21 of the accused guilty of murder. They were sentenced to life imprisonment, marking a pivotal moment in this long-standing legal battle.
The case underscores the importance of meticulous evidence evaluation in judicial processes and serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of election-related violence in India.
