Holding that the cruel abduction, rape and murder of siblings Muskan (10) and Rithik (7) is a “rarest of rare” crime, Coimbatore Mahila Court judge
M P Subramaniam on Thursday awarded double death penalty and three concurrent life sentences to Manoharan (25), who was on Monday found guilty on all five criminal counts.
The sentence pronounced in a packed court hall in the afternoon shook Manoharan, who tried hard to fight back tears even as his aged crestfallen father Ramasamy banged his head against a wall. Outside the court hall, onlookers hailed the verdict.
In his 55-page order, Judge Subramaniam said “the accused is convicted and sentenced to DEATH for each count (2) and shall be hanged by neck till he is dead subject to confirmation of Honorable High Court, Madras, as per the provision of Sec 366 CrPc.” The dual death penalty was for killing two children.
“The defence counsel had sought to mitigate the quantum of punishment on mercy, considering the fact that his poor parents are dependent on him for their survival. Though I accept the validity of such a plea, the punishment has a general deterrent on other people in society in keeping them away from such offences. Therefore, the awarding of punishment should be proportionate with the gravity of offence,” the judge observed.