Former panchayat president, 15 others sentenced to life
Judge M Jothiram also slapped a fine of Rs 2,000 on each of them.
The prosecution case was P Jayapandi (47), president of Chakarappanayakanur Panchayat near Usilampatti and 15 others conspired and killed a 60-year-old farmer at Melaperumalpatti on February 8, 2007 due to previous enmity during elections.
On that day, Jayapandi and his family members were deepening a water channel, adjoining the farmer's land, which the latter and his son opposed.
Jayapandi and 15 others of his family attacked the farmer and his son with iron rods, killing him on the spot and injuring another man.
A case was registered by police against Jayapandi, his wife and the others under IPC Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (armed with deadly weapons), 323, 324, 326 (all three for voluntarily causing hurt) and 302 (murder).
A chargesheet to this effect was also submitted before judge Jothiram at Fast Track Court 2.