VIJAYA KUMAR Vs. STATE INSPECTOR OF POLICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an application filed by accused 1 to 3 in S.C. No. 71 of 1985 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Coimbatore, to the file of either the Sessions judge, Coimbatore or the Second Additional Sessions Judge, Coimbatore.

(2.) One Manonmani wife of the first petitioner died of burns. The first petitioner and petitioners 2 and 3, respectively her father in law and mother-in-law, are accused of murdering her by setting fire. According to the petitioners, there is practically no evidence against them. The matter was given sensational publicity to the prejudice. The learned Sessions Judge before whom the case against the petitioner is now pending tried a similar case of burning (S.C. No. 92 of 1904) and the case ended in a conviction of the accused therein. The relatives of the petitioners alt giving out that the Sessions Judge is sure to convict the petitioners also as done by him in S.C. 92 of 1984. It is also being given out that in cases of unnatural death of a wife there is always a prejudice against the husband and/or the in-laws. The present case having been given a wide and sensational publicity, according to the petitioners, a shroud of suspicion has enveloped them. Hence the application for transfer

(3.) The application is opposed by the prosecution.