Death sentence for double murder

Coimbatore, Mar 30: A court today awarded death sentence to a man for murdering two women over a land dispute in Anamalai in the district four years ago.

The prosecution case was that Rajiv Gandhi, alias Marimuthu, had sought a piece of land from his neighbour Murugan to extend his house, which was refused by the latter.

Angry over it Rajiv, accosted Murugan's wife, Palaniammal and daughters Jyotimani and Makudeshwari when they were going to answer the nature's call in the nearby field on the evening of February 11, 2012.

Rajiv had attacked the women with sickle, resulting in the death of Palaniammal on the spot and Jyothimani on the way to hospital, while Makudeswari was seriously injured.

Even as Murugan and his brother attempted to nab Rajiv, he managed to escape on a motorcycle. However, he was arrested 15 days later. Additional District Judge G Vijaya awarded death sentence for the double murder.

Rajiv was earlier convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with a murder case. However, after appeal, the sentence was commuted to seven years. He committed the double murder on his return from jail.

PTI