MADURAI
Acquitted in a 2006 murder case reported in Thoothukudi, the prime accused has come forward to pay a compensation of ₹2 lakh to the mother of the victim, maintaining his innocence. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court was informed through his counsel that without prejudice to his contention that a false case was registered against him, he would pay the compensation.
The court was hearing a criminal revision petition filed by Manoharan, brother of the deceased Palraj. It was said that in 2006 Palraj was murdered in a government bus while he was on way to Kovilpatti. After investigation, nine people were named accused and Kanagaraj was named the prime accused in the case.
After the trial court acquitted all the accused, including Kanagaraj, Manoharan, brother of Palraj, filed a petition before the High Court Bench seeking a revision against the acquittal. He alleged that the FIR was not registered as per his complaint. However, the prime accused, Kanagaraj, maintained his innocence.
Justice G. R. Swaminathan observed that the court, with a heavy heart, would have to record that the investigation was not conducted properly. It was shocking that the driver and the conductor of the bus in question had turned hostile. In fact, when a murder took place in a bus, the driver should have taken the vehicle to the nearest police station, which was not done, the court said.
“I am not in a position to hold that the judgement passed by the court below warrants interference. This is a revision against acquittal. The scope for re-appreciation in the very nature of things is rather limited”, the judge said.
With the prime accused Kanagaraj coming forward to pay the compensation amount, the court directed that ₹2 lakh be deposited in favour of Madathiyammal, mother of the victim. The petition was disposed of.
