Madras HC slams TN govt for releasing convicts behind Melvalavu Dalit massacre

On November 9, a total of 13 caste Hindu men convicted for the murder of six Dalit Panchayat officials, were released as part of the MGR centenary celebrations.

news Melvalavu Dalit Massacre

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has condemned the Tamil Nadu government for the release of prisoners convicted in the 1997 Melvalavu massacre of Dalits. The court has further ordered that documents in connection with the release of the prisoners responsible for the murder of six Dalit men, be submitted to the Bench.

On November 9, a total of 13 caste Hindu men convicted for the murder of six Dalit Panchayat officials, were released as part of the MGR centenary celebrations. The men all belong to the dominant Thevar community in Madurai, and their release was approved by the Tamil Nadu government and signed by the Governor. Initially, 44 men were accused in the case, but this was weaned down to 17 led by a man named Alagarsamy. They were sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court, and the order was upheld by the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court in 2009. While one of the convicts died, three were given remission and released during Anna centenary celebrations in 2008 by the then DMK government.

"It is condemnable that the Tamil Nadu government took such a decision when the Supreme Court has given life terms to these prisoners," said the court. Justice Vaidhyananthan and Justice Anand Venkatesh were both listening to the petition filed by an advocate named Rathinavel opposing the release of the prisoners, when the remarks were made.

The court further demanded that government officials involved in the process of release, appear before the court on November 19. Family members of the victims have meanwhile sent a petition to the Tamil Nadu home secretary and chief secretary, demanding that the release of the men be withdrawn.

Speaking to TNM, they alleged that their safety was at risk due to the release of these convicts. Karuppiah, the brother of the Panchayat chief Murugesan who was murdered and beheaded, alleged that the release itself was a political move by the government.

"They have done this just for their own vote bank and to get favour amongst the Thevar community," he alleged. "But this is all at the cost of human life. We Dalits, will have no peace here anymore. Every day we will wonder - Is today the day they will strike back?"