2004 Kumbakonam School fire: ‘Conviction too little, too late’

The 10 convicts filed an appeal in the Madras High Court against the lower court’s order. In the meantime, the state government filed an appeal against the acquittal of the 11 other accused by the lower court. Besides, the high court-appointed commission formed to look into the families’ demands of higher compensation is yet to give its report.

“We will continue our fight,” says Inbaraj, a tea stall owner who lost his two sons, aged 8 and 10, to the fire. “One died on the spot while another died at the hospital. Had they survived, they would have been in college now,” he says.

For Inbaraj, the conviction of the 10 is “too little, too late”. “The trial was delayed for almost a decade as the accused moved the high court and the Supreme Court and got frequent stay orders… most teachers ran for their lives without unlocking all the gates, and were acquitted,” he says though he is “happy” the state government has appealed against the acquittal of 11.

2004 Kumbakonam School fire

* No. of victims: 94
* No. of years: 11
* No. of court hearings: 429
* Compensation per victim: Rs 1 lakh from the state government, Rs 50,000 from the Centre

* Charges against accused/convicted: IPC sections including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), and provisions of Tamil Nadu Recognised Private Schools (Regulation) Act, 1973.