Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of 11 in Cuddalore Honour-Killing Case



In a strong message against caste-based violence, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the conviction and sentences of 11 individuals involved in a 2003 honour-killing case in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. The tragic case involved the brutal murder of a young couple belonging to different castes.

Background: A Crime Rooted in Caste Discrimination

The case stems from the gruesome murder of a Dalit boy and a girl from the Vanniyar community, who married against the wishes of their families.

  • The couple was poisoned to death publicly in their village, a crime orchestrated by the girl's own father and brother, among others.

  • The crime was rooted in caste prejudice, which the Supreme Court strongly condemned, describing it as an outcome of India's "deeply entrenched hierarchical caste system."

Trial and High Court Verdict

Initially:

  • 15 individuals were charged.

  • The trial court convicted 13 persons and acquitted 2.

  • Upon appeal, the Madras High Court acquitted 2 more but upheld the conviction of the remaining 11, including two police officers.

The two police officers, KP Tamilmaran and M. Sellanuthu, were convicted for neglecting their official duties by not filing the FIR promptly, allegedly to shield the perpetrators.


Supreme Court's Final Verdict

On Monday, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prashant Kumar Mishra:

  • Upheld the Madras High Court's decision.

  • Rejected the convicts’ arguments regarding inconsistencies in witness testimonies.

  • Awarded ₹5 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased boy, in addition to compensation already awarded by the lower courts.

The Court, in its 73-page judgment, emphasized:

"Honour-killings must attract strong punishment. The crime here is not just an act against the state, but a wicked and odious crime."

Criticism of Prosecution Delays

The Supreme Court also expressed concern over delays during the prosecution phase, which led to a slow trial spanning two decades. It stressed the need for expeditious trials, especially in sensitive cases involving fundamental rights and social justice.

Strong Words on Honour-Killings

In a scathing critique of caste-based violence, the Supreme Court said:

"This dastardly crime was an outcome of the caste hierarchy... ironically called 'honour-killing' despite being a most dishonourable act."

The Court sent a clear signal that such crimes must face the strictest legal consequences.

Representation Before Courts

  • Victims’ families were represented pro bono by Advocates Rahul Shyam Bhandari, G. Priyadarshani, and Satyam Pathak before the Supreme Court.

  • K. Keshwan had represented them earlier in the Madras High Court.

  • The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was represented by Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee.

  • Several prominent senior counsels, including Anjana Prakash, Ratnakar Dash, M. Sathyanarayanan, Siddharth Aggarwal, S. Nagamuthu, and Gopalsankarnarayanan, represented the convicts before the Supreme Court.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision in the Cuddalore honour-killing case serves as a landmark affirmation of India's commitment to protect individual rights against the deep-rooted evils of casteism.
The judgment not only upholds justice for the victims but also sends a strong societal message:
Honour has no place in murder. No societal or familial approval can justify taking innocent lives.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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