Ramanathapuram

The district court has convicted two supporters of the proscribed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who had procured cyanide capsules in a bid to revive the militant organisation, under the provisions of Unlawful activities (prevention) Act, 1967 and awarded them 10 years imprisonment.

Passing orders in the three-year-old case, Principal District Judge A. Kayalvizhi convicted the accused K. Krishnakumar (42) and his accomplice V. Subashkaran (41), holding that the prosecution – the Q branch police had proved the case that the duo had indulged in unlawful activities in the State in a bid to revive LTTE (after it was defeated by the Lankan forces in the civil war in May 2009).

The Judge convicted the duo under sections 120 (b) of IPC read with sections 10 (a) (i) and (iv) and 38 (1) of the Unlawful activities (prevention) Act, section 3, read with 12 (1) (a) of the Passports Act, 1967, section 14(c) of Foreigners Act, 1946, section 6 of Poisonous Act, 1919 and section 419 of IPC.

The judge awarded sentences ranging from six months to 10 years and said the sentences would go concurrently. She also imposed fine of ₹ 45,500 each. Krishnakumar attempted to clandestinely sail to Sri Lanka after procuring 600 gms of cyanide powder and 75 cyanide capsules on July 20, 2015, when the police intercepted his car at Uchipuli and arrested him.

He was also found in his possession, four Global Positioning System (GPS) sets and seven mobile phones and Indian and Sri Lankan currency notes and Indian and Sri Lankan driving licences.

They pleaded not guilty when the judge sought their views after convicting them.

The judge also convicted R. Rajendran (47), a Sri Lankan Tamil, cited as third accused in the case under the Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act and awarded him 10 years imprisonment. However, the court offered to clarify on the sentence when his counsel K. Thirumurugan pointed out that he was not facing charge under the Act. Otherwise, the accused was awarded five years imprisonment under the Passports Act.

The Judge also convicted R. Sasikumar (31), a local Tamil and driver, under section 120 (b), IPC and awarded six months imprisonment. Senior counsel N. Somasundaram, who appeared for the prosecution, said a separate charge sheet had been filed in respect of the fifth accused in the case and the sixth accused was absconding.