Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

CBI files appeal in ‘Dinakaran' attack case

MADURAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has preferred an appeal before the Madras High Court Bench here against a lower court judgment acquitting 17 people, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), in the Dinakaran newspaper office attack case.

It also filed a petition to condone the 118-day delay in filing the appeal.

A Division Bench, comprising Justice M. Chockalingam and Justice M. Duraiswamy, on Monday ordered notices to all the accused to reply to the petition for condoning the delay and adjourned the matter to August 2.

The main appeal would be taken up for hearing only if the court decides to excuse the delay after hearing objections, if any, raised by the accused. In his affidavit, A. Dhandapani (41), Inspector of Police, CBI, Special Crime Branch, Chennai, stated that the delay was owing to the time taken in obtaining Central approval.

“Very good case”

Stating that the CBI had a “very good case for appeal and a very good chance of succeeding in appeal against the acquittal,” the Inspector said there were strong, sufficient and cogent evidence available on record to establish the guilt of the accused.

“No prejudice shall be caused if the delay is condoned. However, grave prejudice would be caused to interest of justice if the delay in filing the appeal is not condoned,” the affidavit read.

Three employees of the newspaper organisation lost their lives in the attack which was carried out by a mob on May 9, 2007 following the publication of the results of a survey carried out by the newspaper.

The Principal District and Sessions Court here had acquitted all the accused, including V.P. Pandi alias ‘Attack' Pandi, M. Murugan alias ‘Sori' Murugan, P. Thirumurugan alias ‘Kaattuvasi' Murugan on the ground that the prosecution had failed to prove the case beyond all reasonable doubt. DSP V. Rajaram was also acquitted of charges of failure to perform his duty.

The CBI claimed that the DSP had directed the police personnel, who were stationed outside the newspaper office on the day of attack, not to take batons or other weapons along with them. They were also directed to remain scattered instead of showing their strength.

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