The Hindu : Front Page : Hooch tragedy: 10-year RI for two

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Saturday, Apr 12, 2008
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Hooch tragedy: 10-year RI for two

Staff Reporter

KOLLAM: Kollam First Additional District and Sessions Court Judge T. Mohandas on Friday sentenced two persons to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1 lakh each in the Kalluvathukkal hooch tragedy case.

He was delivering the verdict in the second phase trial of the case. Default in paying the fine will invite an additional imprisonment of two years. Those sentenced are accused number 18, Usha, and accused number 19, Sugathan. Four others – Santosh, Ashraf,

Anil Kumar and Rathi – have been acquitted as no evidence was adduced against them by the Additional Special Public Prosecutor of the second phase trial G. Mohanraj. Mr. Mohanraj said that he took the stand as some of those convicted under the same charges in the main trial were later acquitted by the High Court.

All the six figured in the second phase trial were absconding when the main trial came up before the court.

Usha is the wife of the prime accused in the case, Chandradas alias Manichan who along with 12 others was sentenced to life in the main trial. In all, 26 persons were convicted in the main trial. The verdict of the main trial was delivered in July 2002. Thirty three persons had lost their lives and several others suffered visual impairment in the hooch tragedy that occurred on October 20, 2000.

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