Sriharan (alias) Murugan escorted to Vellore Central Prison from Vellore district combine court complex on Sat... Read More

VELLORE: Sriharan (alias) Murugan , one of the convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been acquitted in the case that was filed against him by prison authorities for possessing cell phones and SIM cards for want of evidence.

On hearing the case on Saturday, judicial magistrate court judge N Alicia acquitted Murugan under the provision of 255 (1) (if the Magistrate, upon taking the evidence referred to in section 254 and such further evidence, if any, as he may, of his own motion, cause to be produced, finds the accused not guilty, he shall record an order of acquittal) of code of Criminal Procedure.

“The judge acquitted Murugan citing that the evidence and witnesses are not sufficient to prove the charges against the accused person,” said a police official.

A team of prison officials conducted a surprise check on Murugan’s cell in the high-risk prisoners’ block during the late hours of May 25, 2017. They allegedly seized two cell phones (Apple iPhone and Samsung basic model), three SIM cards ( Airtel ) and a charger. They were found hidden behind a photograph of a deity in his cell, said the police privy to the investigation of the case.

Following this, then jailer Murugesan filed a complaint with Bagayam police against Murugan. The police had registered a case under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge or his/her duty) of IPC read with 42 (possessing banned gadgets) of the Tamil Nadu Prisoners Act.

Murugan, defending the case, cross-examined seven witnesses, including Superintendent and Jailer of the central prison , and also sprinkled several doubts and suspicions during the hearings. On the other hand, the prison authorities had failed to produce sufficient evidence and witnesses to substantiate the charges levelled against Murugan.

Sources said that the police investigation team found three numbers in the phones. But they had failed to produce call logs and other forensic evidence and how the accused sourced the cell phone into the high-security central prison to pin him down.

After the verdict was pronounced, Murugan who was clad in saffron dhoti and shawl and sporting long-beard walked with a smile. He was taken to the Central Prison for Men amidst tight security.

