C MUNIAPPAN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE reference, R.T.No.1 of 2007 is by the learned First Additional Sessions Judge, Salem seeking confirmation of the death sentence imposed on A-2 to A-4 in Sessions Case No.293 of 2003.

(2.) CRIMINAL Appeal Nos.226, 252, 253, 254, 266 & 267 of 2007 are filed by the Accused Nos.1 to 14, 16 to 21, 23 to 26 & 28 to 31 in Sessions Case No.293 of 2003 challenging their conviction and sentence.

(3.) THE accused were put on trial on the following prosecution case:- THE unfortunate incidents in this case took place in the year 2000 at Dharmapuri, where three girl students namely, Kokilavani, Gayathri and Hemalatha studying II year B.Sc.(Agri) course in Coimbatore Agricultural University College were burnt alive. THE boy and the girl students of the University numbering 101 left on 22.1.2000 for an educational tour in two buses belonging to the University. THE girl students numbering 47 travelled in a bus bearing Regn.No.Tn-38-C-5550 along with two Professors namely, Latha, P.W.1 and Akila, P.W.2 and the boy students travelled in another bus bearing Regn.No.TNU-1799 along with Professors Velayutham and Christopher Lourduraj. After completing the educational tour, all the students came to Paiyur near Dharmapuri on 1.2.2000 at about 12.00 midnight and stayed in Regional Agricultural Research Centre. On 2.2.2000 at about 11.00 a.m., the students left to Hogenakkal and, after seeing a nursery garden on the way, they reached Dharmapuri at 12.30 p.m. THE buses were parked in front of Saravanabhavan hotel and most of the students and Professors went inside the hotel for taking lunch or purchasing parcels and some students remained in the buses.