Chandralekha case 8212; Five years RI for three

CHENNAI, MAY 5: Pandit Chokka More, Annadurai and Sunil Damodhar Pande, accused in the IAS officer Chandralekha acid attack case have been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years and nine months.

IV Additional Sessions Judge Ramasubramaniam, who awarded the sentence today, however, acquitted Chandrakanth Bohra and Mohammed Rafi, the other two accused, from the case. Surla, alias sudalaimuthu, another accused in the case, had already been discharged from the case following a submission from the CBI that he played no role in the acid attack case. However, he is still in prison, as he is said to be involved in some other cases, including an attack on judge Krishnamurthy, which is pending trial.

The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each on the three, in default, to undergo RI for three more months.

While working as commissioner of Archives in Chennai, acid was thrown at Chandralekha when she was travelling in a car near Egmore on May 19, 1992. She sustained burn injuries in her face and neck. Five persons belonging to Mumbai were arrested in connection with the case. Though Chandrakanth Bohra was not arrested till date, he was included as an accused.

Former AIADMK Minister E Madhusoodanan was also arrested in connection with the case, but was later discharged.