Lifer for six in murder case

Madurai, Sep 27 (UNI) A Fast Track Court here sentenced six persons to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of a youth in front of the Oomachikulam Police Station in 1996.

Judge Bhoopalan pronounced the judgement in connection with the murder of one Sasikumar. Seven others were sentenced to three-year simple imprisonment for abetting the murder and three others were acquitted.

Police had registered cases against 17 persons. However, one of them died during the trial.

According to presecution, the murder was a sequel to the enmity between two contestants-- namely Vallimalai and Jeevanandham-- for the Presidentship of the Kannanendal village panchayat.

The victim Sasikumar, nephew of Jeevanandham, was hacked to death, when he was returning with his mother from the Oomachikulam Police Station after lodging a complaint against Vallimalai and his supporters for indulging in poll violence.

Following a complaint, police had also registered cases against 17 persons for allegedly attacking Vallimalai and his supporters.

Seven persons, charged in connection with the attack on Vallimalai, were awarded three years imprisonment. However, others were acquitted.

UNI