The Principal District and Sessions Judge R. Poornima adjourned the Temple Pujari suicide case to June 13 partly allowing the Public Prosecutor’s petitions here on Monday.
Public Prosecutor B. Mohan sought two documents – one on a case with Periyakulam Judicial Magistrate Court and a copy of the petition filed by the deceased from the office of the Theni Superintendent of Police on Saturday.
In his counter affidavit, Defense Counsel M. Kannappan raised objection to bring a document from Periyakulam court and protested that there was no need to get document which was under safe custody of Theni Superintendent of Police.
“It was within the reach of the investigation officer. Moreover, the officer could get it from the Theni SP at any time.”
Mr. Mohan said that the deceased had filed a case against Vengidusamy and Palanisamy, which was in the Judicial Magistrate Court in Periyakulam. After hearing the arguments of both sides, the judge allowed the PP’s petition partially to get documents relating to a case pending in JM Court in Periyakulam only.
All the accused were produced before the court. Similarly, all police officers were also present.
S. Nagamuthu (22) of T. Kallupatti village, a Dalit, who worked as a pujari in Sri Kailasanathar hill temple in Periyakulam had committed suicide by hanging on December 8, 2012, after he was allegedly subjected to harassment. The High Court had already directed the subordinate court to complete the case within four months.
