Madras High Court Affirms Life Imprisonment for 26 in 2018 Caste Violence Case
The Madras High Court, in a significant ruling on Thursday, upheld the life sentences imposed on 26 individuals convicted for the murder of three Scheduled Caste persons during caste violence in Kachanatham village, Sivaganga district, in 2018. Simultaneously, the court acquitted one man, Ilayaraja, in the same case, marking a pivotal moment in this long-standing legal battle.
Court Dismisses Appeals, Upholds Trial Court's Decision
A division bench comprising Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan and Justice R Poornima dismissed the criminal appeals filed by the 26 convicts, who had challenged their conviction and life imprisonment handed down by the trial court. The bench allowed the appeal of Ilayaraja, leading to his acquittal. The judgment copy is yet to be officially released, but the court's decision reinforces the severity of the crimes committed.
Background of the 2018 Kachanatham Violence
The tragic incident traces back to May 2018, when a dispute erupted between members of the Scheduled Caste Devendra Kula Vellalars and the dominant Agamudaiyar community over honors during a temple festival in Kachanatham. The Agamudaiyars were reportedly denied honors at a temple belonging to the Devendra Kula Vellalars, sparking tensions.
On May 28, 2018, Agamudaiyars from Avarangadu and surrounding villages forcibly entered Kachanatham and launched a brutal assault on Scheduled Caste individuals. In the violence, three SC persons—K Arumugam, A Shanmuganathan, and V Chandrasekaran—were hacked to death, while several others sustained serious injuries.
Legal Proceedings and Convictions
Following the attack, a case was registered against 33 accused, including four juveniles, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), such as murder, and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. During the trial, one accused died, and the case against another was split up due to his absconding status.
In August 2022, the Special Court for exclusive trial of cases under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Sivaganga convicted 27 accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The recent High Court ruling affirms this decision for 26 of them, underscoring the judiciary's commitment to addressing caste-based violence and ensuring justice for the victims.
