By IANS,
Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) : Three people were convicted by a court here Wednesday for murdering former Tamil Nadu law minister Aladi Aruna and an associate in December 2004.
Principal Sessions Judge Bhasker pronounced the judgement in a heavily guarded court, 600 km south of state capital Chennai. Aruna was a leading member of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
The judge ruled that charges of conspiracy and murder were proved against Bala Murugan, Azhagar and Veldurai.
The judge acquitted six other accused, including S.A. Raja, a leading educationist who had been released on bail by the Supreme Court earlier.
While two others charged in the case – Benny and ‘Auto’ Bhaskar – committed suicide by consuming cyanide even as investigations were underway, Ravi alias ‘Dog’ Ravi is absconding.
The prison sentences will be pronounced Thursday.
Hired assassins murdered Aruna and his associate R. Ponraj Dec 31, 2004 near Alankulam town.
Prosecution claimed that the murder was committed due to business rivalry.