Perpetrator to be charged with murder

200-page charge sheet has already been filed, says Senior Superintendent of Police, Karaikal

The man who threw acid on Vinodhini in the November attack in Karaikal, will now be prosecuted for murder.

Speaking to The Hindu over the phone, senior superintendent of police (Karaikal) Anto Alphonse said the case against the accused, Suresh Kumar, will be altered from the existing case registered under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (for attempted murder) to one under section 302 (murder).

Once the post-mortem results are received, the police will submit an additional chargesheet. Already, a 200-page chargesheet has been filed.

Asked whether the recent ordinance promulgated to amend criminal laws relating to offences against women after the Verma Commission report was submitted would be applicable, Mr. Alphonse said the police was awaiting advice from the public prosecutor on this.

Several political parties have expressed their condolences to the family and demanded action against the accused.

PMK leader S. Ramadoss and CPI(M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan on Tuesday demanded financial assistance for the family and also demanded due punishment for the culprit.

“In her testimony to the police Vinodhini wanted the prosecution to seek maximum punishment for the perpetrator. Her case should be considered the rarest of the rare,” Dr. Ramadoss said. He also wanted financial assistance to be given to her family, who have spent all their savings on her education and on medical treatment.

Mr. Ramakrishnan visited the hospital where she was treated.

The Student’s Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India held a candlelight vigil in Vinodhini’s memory on Tuesday.