High Court transfers trial in case against O. Raja from Theni to Dindigul

The orders were passed on a petition filed by N. Subburaj, father of a Dalit youth S. Nagamuthu who had committed suicide in T. Kallipatti village in heni district on Dec. 7, 2012.

The Madras High Court Bench here on Tuesday ordered transfer of trial in an abetment of suicide case booked against O. Raja, brother of Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam, from Theni to Dindigul district after his counsel R. Gandhi said his client had no objection to the transfer.

Justice R. Mala recorded the submission made by counsel and directed a sessions court in Theni to transfer the case to Dindigul within three weeks. She also ordered that the Dindigul court must expedite the trial proceedings and complete within four months.

The orders were passed on a petition filed by N. Subburaj, father of a Dalit youth S. Nagamuthu who had committed suicide in T. Kallipatti village in Periyakulam taluk of Theni district on December 7, 2012, since he was allegedly humiliated by Mr. Raja and his accomplices for serving as a temple priest.

Apprehension

Though the police had booked the accused under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code as well as Section 3(2)(5) of the Prevention of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (prevention of atrocities) Act, the petitioner apprehended that the accused might influence the trial in Theni district.

Hence, he urged the court to transfer the case to a sessions court in Erode district. But wondering why was the petitioner insisting on getting the case transferred to a particular district, the judge said that it would be sufficient if the case was transferred to Dindigul in order to allay his apprehensions on a fair trial.

Accepting the suggestion, Mr. Gandhi requested the court to order for expeditious disposal of the case.

The Dindigul court must expedite the trial proceedings and complete within four months: judge