SC stays death sentence of three convicts in Dharmapuri case

New Delhi, Jan 18 : The Supreme Court today stayed the death sentence awarded to three All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) activists in connection with the Dharmapuri bus burning case.

Admitting their petition, the apex court issued notice to the Tamil Nadu Government on their plea against the Madras High Court verdict.

The Madras High Court had upheld the death sentence awarded by a lower court to all three.

Three girl students of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) were roasted alive on February 2, 2000, when their college bus was set ablaze by unidentified persons near Elakiyampatti in Dharmapuri following the conviction of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa in the Kodaikanal Pleasant Stay Hotel case.

Eighteen other students were injured in the attack.

There were 31 accused in the case, out of which, one had died during the trial. And two were acquitted.

The case assumed significance when the Madras High Court suspended its trial at the Krishnagiri court and transferred it to the sessions court on September 19, 2003.

ANI