In a first, Kumbakonam court awards death sentence

Tiruchy: A history-sheeter was awarded death sentence, while three of his relatives were sentenced to life imprisonment by a Kumbakonam court on Tuesday for murdering a youth over a financial dispute.

According to prosecution, S Senthilnathan (23), a resident of Thippirajapuram near Patteeswaram in Kumbakonam, was running a bar adjacent to a Tasmac outlet in his area. He had borrowed money from his friend, Kattai Raja alias Saravanan (43), a history-sheeter, against whom as many as 18 cases, including 11 murder, were pending. Later, there was a dispute between them over financial transaction.

Following this, Kattai Raja conspired with his brother Selvam (40), uncles, Manoharan and Mariappan (55) and brother-in-law Selvam (40), to murder Senthilnathan.

As per their plan, Kattai Raja along with his kin intercepted Senthilnathan near a bridge at Madakudi, while he was proceeding to the bar, on June 18, 2013 and attacked him with lethal weapons. Senthilnathan died on the spot.

Patteeswaram police registered a case and arrested them the same day. The case was on trial at Kumbakonam additional sessions court.

Meanwhile, Mariappan and Manoharan died even as the hearing was on in the court.

On Tuesday, judge Benjamin Joseph convicted Kattai Raja and awarded death sentence to him. According to senior advocates, this was the first death sentence in the history of 150-year-old Kumbakonam court.