HC upholds life sentence of man who murdered SI

The Madras High Court today upheld the life sentence awarded by a lower court to a man who murdered a traffic Sub Inspector in January 2013 after he intervened to stop a fight here and directed Tamil Nadu government to pay Rs three lakh to the next of kin of his family.
Confirming the life sentence given by III Additional District and Sessions Court, Tiruvallur, a division bench, comprising Justices S Nagamuthu and V Bharathidasan, dismissed the appeal of Veeramuthu against the March 19, 2015 order and directed the DGP to pay the amount to the dependents of the SI's family.

The court said Veeramuthu's intention was clear from the obscene words he uttered when he attacked the SI. His act would squarely fall within Section 300 IPC for having caused death of the deceased, it said, adding the trial court had imposed only minimum punishment, not warranting any interference.
The SI Kathiresan was on duty on January 17, 2013 at a traffic signal when Veeramuthu and another person entered into an argument, leading to fisticuffs. The SI rushed to the spot shouted at them and separated the duo.
Veeramuthu went away but later came back, mouthed profanities at the SI before hitting him on the head with a wooden log, seriously injuring him.

The SI succumbed to his injuries on January 28 2013.

The trial court sentenced Veeramuth to life against which he moved the High Court.
Dismissing his appeal, the bench noted that the trial court had unfortunately not made any recommendation for paying compensation to the SI's dependents.
"Having regard to the pitiable condition of the family on account of the sudden demise of the deceased while he was discharging his duty, we are of the view that the dependents of the deceased should be adequately compensated as per the victim compensation scheme under section 357-A of code of criminal procedure."

The bench then directed the DGP to pay Rs three lakh as compensation from the 'Victim compensation fund' within six months from today.