Convict appeals in Aladi Aruna murder Case

Madurai, Apr 25: A convict sentenced to death in the Aladi Aruna Murder Case has filed an appeal against his conviction before the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court here.

The Principal Sessions Court, Tirunelveli, had awarded death sentence to P Balamurugan (32) alias Bala and D Azhagar (34) alias Valarntha Azhagar in the sensational murder case of former minister and Senior DMK Leader V Arunachalam alias Aladi Aruna and his teacher-friend R Ponraj in 2004.

However, the court acquitted six others, including Rajas Group of Educational Institution Chairman S A Raja, on April 17 last.

In his appeal, Azhagar prayed for quashing of the sentence awarded to him in the case.

The complainant quoted the key witness in the case having said Mr Aruna was first shot at and injured and then attacked with sickles.

During the trial, he said the bullet went astray. The key witness, who claimed that he was at the spot during the execution of the crime, had not tried to save Mr Aruna who was injured in the attack.

There were no blood stains on his clothes. Hence, his evidence should not be admitted, Azhagar said.

He contended the witness's claim that he had informed the police at Mr Aruna's petrol pump and his home were fabricated by the police.

The police also did not question Mr Aruna's driver. If they had interrogated him, it would be known whether the witness was at the spot or not.

Moreover, the accused had not been identified properly. They were called by their names in the presence of witnesses who were then asked to identify them, he said.

Stating capital punishment awarded to him was very extreme, Azhagar prayed the court for reducing the sentence.

UNI