20 accused have been arraigned in the case

RAMANATHAPURAM

After completing investigation and arresting all the 20 accused arraigned in Valantharavai double murder case, the district police have filed the charge sheet, setting the stage for commencement of trial.

Kenikarai police recently filed the charge sheet on the 86th day since the occurrence of the crime before the Judicial Magistrate Court here, the police said.

The police were fully prepared for the trial when the case was committed to the Sessions Court, said Superintendent of Police Omprakash Meena. Along with the charge sheet, the investigating officer furnished a list of prosecution witnesses and material evidence to prove the case, he added.

He said within a month after M. Boominathan (32) and R. Vijay (26) of Amman Koil at Valantharavai were murdered on the night of May 20 in a gang rivalry, special teams arrested 19 accused, and arrested Dharma, the brain behind the double murder, at a later stage after he surrendered before a court.

Acting on the recommendation of the SP, Collector S. Natarajan ordered the detention of 14 accused, including Dharma and his younger brother Karthik, under the Goondas Act. However, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court quashed their detention under the Act, after which the accused were released on bail.

A day after Karthik obtained bail on August 20, the police arrested him again in connection with a pending attempt to murder case and put him behind the bars, while Dharma chose not to secure bail, the police said.

Except for the two siblings, all the other accused in the case were presently out on bail and they would be summoned for trial soon, the SP said.