THANJAVUR: Almost a decade after the fire at Sri Krishna aided primary school at Kasiraman street in Kumbakonam claimed the lives of 94 students, the principal district and sessions court here on Wednesday convicted 10 persons, including the founder of the school, Palanisamy. The tragic incident took place on July 16, 2004.
The court found Palanisamy (75) guilty under section 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc.) of the IPC read with 197 and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 51.65 lakh on him.
Principal district and sessions judge M.N. Mohamed Ali pronounced the verdict in the packed court hall amidst tight security as parents and relatives of the deceased children assembled outside the court.
The judge also sentenced Palanisamy’s wife and school correspondent Saraswathi, headmistress Santhanalakshmi and four others to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment. Two other accused – noon meal organiser Vijayalakshmi (39) and cook Vasanthi (42) were sentenced to five years while chartered engineer Jeyachandran was awarded a two-year term.
The court also acquitted 11 of the 21 accused in the case. The judge imposed a fine of Rs 52.57 lakh on all the convicted, including Rs 51,65,700 on Palanisamy.
The judge directed the government to collect the fine and disburse as compensation Rs50,000 to each of the 94 victims’ parents, Rs25,000 to each of the 15 children who suffered grievous injuries and Rs 10,000 to each of the three children who suffered minor injuries.
