A local court in Mysore on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment all the 20 accused in connection with the murder of three Dalits following a caste clash in 1993 in the district.
The accused, all upper caste Hindus, were found guilty of murdering the Dalits of Badanwal village during the clash that broke out over objection to the entry of Dalits into a local temple.
Sixth Additional Sessions Special Judge L.F. Malavalli, who had recently convicted the 20 pronounced the sentence on Thursday.
The accused were charged with the murder of Narayanaswamy, Madukar and Nataraj following a clash among the Dalits and upper caste Hindus on March 25, 1993.
Police had filed a chargesheet against 23 persons, but three of them died during the prolonged trial.
According to the chargesheet, the accused assembled in a field in the village and attacked the Dalits using weapons.
Three Dalits had succumbed to serious injuries.
