Man gets Life-term for Killing Couple Over Rape Bid Plaint

PUDUKKOTTAI: A 45-year-old man was awarded double life-term by the Additional Sessions Court judge here on Monday for murdering a couple over previous enmity.

According to the prosecution, Arjun (45) and Tamil Selvi (40), a couple who were both working as construction workers, were the residents of SP Pudukadu near SP Pattinam in the district. On July 20, 2012, Ramanathan alias Moorthy, attempted to rape Tamil Selvi when she was alone in her house. Moorthy was forced to escape after she raised an alarm.

Later, Arjun lodged a complaint with the village elders, who publicly castigated Moorthy for the act.

Angered by the public humiliation, Moorthy threatened Arjun and Tamil Selvi with dire consequences in front of the village elders.

On July 26, 2012, while the couple was returning to their village on a scooter via the ECR near Muthukuda diversion road after the day’s work, a rashly-driven car fatally knocked them down.

While Tamil Selvi died on the spot, Arjun was rushed to Madurai government hospital, where he died without responding to the treatment.

A case was registered by the Mimisal police, who arrested Moorthy on suspicion.

Later, the case came on trial in the District and Additional Sessions Court here.

On Monday, judge R Ganesan found that Moorthy was  guilty of the crimes and sentenced him to two life terms and imposed a fine of `3 lakh.

The judge, in his sentence, also noted that Moorthy would have to undergo an additional six months if he failed to pay the fine of `3 lakh.