The Karur District and Sessions Court on Monday (March 23, 2026) convicted nine accused of murdering seven persons by hurling petrol bombs at their vehicle while they were returning to Madurai after attending Thevar Guru pooja in October 2012. However, two other accused died during the trial.
The attack was carried out at Avaniyapuram police station limits in Madurai when a group of persons were returning in a vehicle after attending the Thevar Guru Puja event in Ramanathapuram district on the night of 30 October 2012. Seven persons, Jayapandi, Sundarapandi, Vetrivel, Desingaraj, Ranjith Kumar, Vispria and Sihnulia were 33 others injured.
The Avaniapuram police registered a case under various sections of the IPC including 302 (murder) and under the Explosives Act and named 13 persons, including two juveniles, as accused.
The trial was conducted before the Karur District and Sessions Court as directed by the Madras High Court. Two of the accused Ramar Pandi and Muthu Vijayan were murdered during the trial. The court proceedings against the juveniles were conducted separately.
The court will announce the amount of the sentence later.
Published – 23 March 2026 23:58 IST
