Judge recuses himself from Kumbakonam school fire tragedy case

: Citing unexpected health problems, Justice P Shanmugam has recused himself from heading the one man commission appointed by Madras High Court to fix the extent and percentage of negligence in the 2004 Kumbakonam school fire tragedy that killed 94 children.
In view of the memo filed by Shanmugam recusing himself on health grounds and after taking the petition filed by one of the victims, seeking appointment of another judge to head the commission, Justice D Hariparanthaman today appointed Justice K Venkatraman as the one man commission.
Justice Hariparantham directed that the state Government be informed in this regard and also that the commission submit its report as expeditiously as possible, not later than six months from the date on which the State Government has provided the necessary infrastructure.

Justice Venkatraman now holds the post of President, Puducherry State Redressal Forum.
The Sessions Court in Thanjavur had on July 30 convicted and sentenced prime accused and founder of Sri Krishna Primary School Pulavar R Palanisamy to life imprisonment and other petitioners -- his wife and school administrator Saraswathi, headmistress SanthaLakshmi and Office Superintendent of District Education Office Thandavan to five years Rigorous Imprisonment and fine.
The court had convicted a total of 10 accused while acquitting 11 others, most of them government employees.One of the accused was awarded two-year jail term while nine others five years.
On Aug 22, four convicts, including Pulavar R Palanisamy, the lone life convict, moved the court challenging their conviction and sentence by the trial court last month.

They sought acquittal contending that the source of fire mishap was the kitchen of noon-meal scheme which was not under their control.