MUTHURAMALINGAM Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) There were eight murders in one occurrence which includes the merciless killing of a young and innocent child aged one and half years old. 17 persons were originally arrayed as accused in the First Information Report. During the course of investigation it was found out that a total number of 21 persons indulged in the above merciless and brutal murders, of whom, one person by name Chandran died even during the investigation. Final report was filed against 20 persons. Accused No. 7, Murugan alias Kotari died during trial. Thus, Accused Nos. 1 to 6, 8 to 20 faced the trial in S.C. No. 10/96 on the file of the Additional and District Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court), Ramanathapuram.

(2.) The deceased in the case were Eraniyan (D1), Thillai Natarajan (D2), who was the son of D1, Palaniammal (D3) who was the wife of P.W. 1, Sethuammal (D4) who was the mother of D3, Annammal (D5) wife of P.W. 4, Nagarathinam (D6), wife of D1 and mother of D2, Indira Gandhi (D7), who was the wife of A8 and Rajeswari (D8) daughter of D7 and A8. For the sake of convenience the deceased shall be called as D1 to D8 respectively in this judgment.

(3.) The appellant in C.A.No. 313 of 2006 is Accused No. 20. The appellants in C.A.No. 323 of 2006 are Accused Nos. 8,9,10, 16, 17,18 and 19. The appellants in C.A.No. 328 of 2006 are Accused Nos. 1 to 4, 11, 13 and 15 and the appellant in C.A.No. 406 of 2006 is Accused No. 14. The appellant in C.A.No. 451 of 2006 are accused Nos. 5 and 6 and the appellant in C.A.No. 539 of 2006 is A12. During pendency of the appeal, the sixth appellant in C.A.No. 313 of 2006, Malaiyandi who is arrayed as Accused No. 18 died. Therefore, the appeals in respect of the other accused are dealt with herein.