All accused in Adheenam murder bid acquitted

CHENNAI: All 10 accused in the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam attempt to murder case were acquitted by the Madras High Court on Thursday.The prosecution case lacked evidence on material. It had not established the motive for the attempt to murder Sivaprakasa Pandara Sannidhi, senior pontif of the Adheenam, on July 7, 2002. There were also various contradictions in the prosecution case and their  witnesses.  The identification parade was not conducted properly, Justice KBK Vasuki pointed out and ordered the release of the 10 accused, including Kasiviswanatha Pandara Sannidhi, the junior pontif.  According to prosecution,  the junior pontif conspired with the other accused and hatched a plan to murder the senior pontiff by administering cyanide through disposable syringe, on July 7, 2002, due to previous enmity. However, they gave up the plan at the last minute, as an aide Varadharajan suddenly entered the chambers of the senior pontif.The trial court -- The Principal Assistant Sessions Judge in Mayiladuthurai -- convicted all the accused for various offences, including Sec 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC, on December 22, 2003. The lower appellate court -- Principal Sessions Judge in Nagapattinam -- on March 28, 2005 confirmed the conviction and  sentence.  Hence, the present revision petition before the High Court.