The proprietor of the Srirangam marriage hall has been asked to pay a total compensation of Rs. 35.30 lakh to the families of the dead and injured.
Apart from sentencing S. Ramasamy to two years' imprisonment on multiple counts, the Principal District and Sessions Judge P. Velmurugan also ordered him to pay a compensation of Rs.50,000 each to the dependents of those who died in the fire tragedy and Rs.10,000 each to the injured. “Considering the circumstances of the case (and) that 64 persons died and 33 sustained injuries and considering the capacity of the accused (the owner) and in the interest of justice, he is directed to pay compensation,” Mr. Velmurugan said in his verdict.
The judge also held the State equally responsible for the tragedy but recorded the public prosecutor's submission that the government had paid Rs.50,000 each to the families of those dead, Rs.15,000 each for those who suffered grievous injuries and Rs.6,000 each to those with simple injuries. The judge ordered the Tiruchi Corporation Commissioner to form a team of qualified persons to inspect all kalyana mandapams (marriage halls) and places of public gathering in the city limits “in order to avoid this type of tragedy in future” and file a report within three months.
