HC directs transfer of murder case

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, DEC. 15. A Division Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the transfer of the `Melavalavu murder case' from a special court in Madurai to the Principal Sessions Court, Salem.

Accepting a plea from the brother of one of the six slain persons in the massacre, the Bench comprising Mr. Justice N. Dinakar and Mr. Justice P. Sathasivam directed the authorities to transfer all the records from the Madurai special court constituted under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to the Principal Sessions Judge court in Salem before January 9, 2001.

In a petition, Mr. M. Kumar and Mr. K. Karuppiah (brother of the deceased Murugesan) said Murugesan, a dalit and president of Melavalavu panchayat president along with five others was hacked to death on June 30, 1997. In September that year, the district special branch filed a chargesheet in the court, naming 41 accused persons, charging them under various IPC sections and under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. One of the accused was absconding.

It said that with almost all the arrested accused being given bail, the conducive atmosphere of the trial was vitiated. Witnesses were being intimidated and pressured and sought to be won over to ensure that the trial was not properly conducted.

It also pointed to the inadequate security for the petitioners and the witnesses from the dalit community. So the conduct of the trial at Madurai would not be fair and proper, the petition contended.

The Bench pointing to the circumstances directed the case to be transferred before the PSJ, Salem. The accused should appear before the Salem court on January 9 for framing of charges. The PSJ should then frame the charges and proceed with the trial and complete the proceedings on or before April 30, 2001.

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