The Additional District and Sessions court, Tenkasi, on Wednesday, has sentenced 14 individuals, including three history sheeters in connection with a murder that occurred in 2015 at Kasinathapuram in Tirunelveli district.
In Kasinathapuram area, under Pappakudi police jurisdiction, residents were divided into two groups over the conduct of the Seevalaperi Sudalaimada Swami temple festival. One group was led by Vinayagam, while another group was headed by Manivel, 45 and frequent clashes occurred between two groups.
In September 2015, Manivel and his supporters had gone to Karkkuvel Aiyyanar temple near the village. At that time, Vinayagam’s group confronted Manivel. The argument escalated, and Manivel was brutally attacked with sharp weapons. They also assaulted others, who attempted to intervene.
Manivel and two others injured were admitted to Tirunelveli Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Despite treatment, Manivel succumbed to injuries the next day. Pappakudi police registered a case and arrested 17 people involved in the attack.
The case was heard in Additional District and Sessions court in Tenkasi. During the course of trial three of the accused Muthukumar, Pitchaiah and Muthuraj died.
Delivering the verdict, Additional district judge, Tenkasi S. Manojkumar sentenced the remaining 14 accused Vinayagam, 47, Ulaganathan 48, Sivasubramanian, 38, Sudalai, 29, Subramanian, 60, Santhanam, 30, Sivan Sait 42, Manikkaraj alias Mari, 29, Veldhurai, 43, Karuppaiah, 57, Ramesh 30, Pandaram, 73, Manivel, 43 and Kalaivanan, 29 to one life imprisonment for murder and one life imprisonment for attempt to murder and fine of Rs 41,000 each.
Additional District Public prosecutor S. Velusamy appeared for the government.
Published – December 03, 2025 07:43 pm IST
