Thanjavur: The hearing on the Sri Krishna School fire in which 94 children were charred to death in the worst-ever tragedy to hit a school in the country on July 16, 2004, officially began in Thanjavur district court on Monday. On the earlier occasion, when hearing was fixed to be held on September 7, 2012, the court adjourned the hearing as two of the accused were absent. This month, when all the accused were present, charges were framed against them and hearing was fixed to begin on September 24.
On Monday, all the 20 accused were present except the teacher Devi who remained absent on medical grounds. During the morning session, the trial began with the school headmaster R Prabhakaran who sought permission to become an approver in the case. However, the defence counsel objected the move and submitted a plea against Prabhakaran being considered as an approver. The Judge G Saravanan later rejected the defence plea and continued with the trial.
The District court judge G Saravanan also said the trial would be conducted on a daily basis and ordered the defence counsel to be present for the trial. Further, investigation of the Head Master will continue on Tuesday.
The accident happened eight years ago at Kumbakonam shook the nation raising concern over the safety of children at education institutions. Around 24 people were made accused in the accident and a complaint was registered at the East Police station in Kumbakonam in 2004.
In 2010, the Supreme Court relieved three education department officials from the case. On July 13, 2012, the Madurai Bench of Madras High court rejected the discharge plea submitted by 17 accused including the school founder and correspondent. The Supreme Court later ordered the Thanjavur district court to wind up the trial in six months time.
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