Summary: A court in Thoothukudi has refused to drop charges against several people accused in a well-known murder case involving the death of a lawyer from a Scheduled Caste. The case brings attention to issues of delayed investigation and procedural difficulties.
On February 22, 2023, a tragic event occurred in Thoothukudi when a group allegedly planned to murder P.K. Muthukumar, a lawyer involved in his brother's murder case. The incident took place at Muthukumar's pawn shop, leading to a police investigation under Crime No.48 of 2023.
The people accused, including Rajarathinam and others, were said to have planned to kill Muthukumar because he was involved in legal cases against them. The murder was reportedly carried out by people with weapons who then escaped on motorcycles.
The case was taken to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, with Judge K.K. Ramakrishnan in charge. Rajarathinam and the others wanted to be released from the charges because the final report was filed late, beyond the 60-day period required by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995.
Judge Ramakrishnan rejected the requests on February 25, 2026, stressing how serious the crime was and the need for a thorough investigation. The court recognized the complicated nature of the case, which justified the extended investigation period.
"The delay in filing the final report cannot be a reason to release the accused, especially in serious crimes," stated Judge Ramakrishnan.
The investigation involved many accused people and witnesses, requiring a detailed examination and collection of evidence. The court noted that the delay was neither intentional nor harmful to the accused's rights.
The court ordered the trial to move forward quickly, emphasizing the importance of justice in cases involving vulnerable communities. Rajarathinam and the other accused were instructed to fully cooperate with the trial process to ensure a timely resolution.
