A court here on Monday acquitted nine accused in the case pertaining to the murder of Jacintha, wife of the slain founder-president of Devendrakula Vellalar Koottamaippu, C. Pasupathi Pandian.
Jacintha, an advocate from Nanthavanapatti in Dindigul, was murdered on April 7, 2006 when she was accompanying Pasupathi Pandian, who was on his way to Tuticorin along with his accomplices to appear before a court in connection with a case against him.
When their car reached Eppothumventran on Tuticorin–Madurai National Highway, a gang intercepted the vehicle and hurled country bombs at it.
While Pasupathi Pandian and his accomplices Muniasamy and Zakhir Hussein managed to escape in another car with injuries, Jacintha died on the spot.
Eppothumventran police filed a case against 12 persons, including A. Subash Pannaiyar of Moolaikkarai near Tiruchendur, president of All India Nadar Protection Forum.
Even as the trial was going on, one of the accused, Maya alias Maayandi, died and the case against two more accused – ‘Thaathaa’ Senthil and Valan – is being heard separately.
When prosecution witness Zakhir Hussein filed a petition before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, saying no proper statement was obtained from him, the police obtained a statement afresh from him and submitted it in the court. Subsequently, he appeared before the court and tendered witness on February 11, 2015.
Delivering the judgment, First Additional Sessions Judge M. Pauldurai said all the nine accused in the case were acquitted as the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
In view of the judgment in the case, the police had made elaborate security arrangements in and around the court, and police personnel had been deployed at various points in the city.
