Accused in violence against Dalits in Periyasevalai, Marakkanam freed

Acquittal despite brazenness and openness of the violence is worrying, say activists

- Krithika Srinivasan @ Villupuram

TWO judgments by the SC/ST Special Court in Villupuram on Friday, acquitting all the accused in two different caste clashes has raised serious concerns over the quality of prosecution and the denial of justice for victims in the incidents.

The Special Court on Friday evening acquitted 20 accused in the 2013 Marakkanam violence that broke out between Vanniyars, predominantly belonging to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, and the Dalits in Marakkanam.

In another judgment in the case regarding the caste clash in Periyasevalai near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district in 2016, the Special Court ruled that 72 out of total 97 accused as not guilty and acquitted them. The remaining 25 were dismissed on the grounds of death or deletion from the case.

The key reason for the acquittals in both the cases appears to be the lack of evidence to prove the involvement of the accused.