The Madras High Court today modified a simple imprisonment awarded to a man in an assault case over political rivalry, to rigorous jail term, decrying the means of violence to settle political scores.
Justice P N Prakash observed that democracy would survive only if political parties agreed to peacefully settle their disputes through the ballot and not by engaging in "murderous assault" on members of rival parties.
If the court condones such acts, it would only encourage lawlessness, he said while dismissing an appeal by one of the seven accused challenging the XV Additional Sessions Judge's February 12, 2013 order awarding three years simple imprisonment to them.
The trial court had awarded simple imprisonment to the accused which shows "misplaced sympathy", Justice Prakash said and modified the term as rigorous imprisonment.
According to the prosecution, two PMK workers had joined the Congress following the efforts taken by former party MLA Balaraman.
Angered over this, a group of PMK activists, including the appellant, allegedly attacked Balaraman on November 9, 2010, chopping off his left ear.
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