Wrongly Convicted Database Record

 

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Durairaj @ Duraikannu

 

Charge:

Murder

Sentence:

Life Imprisonment

Years Imprisoned:

11

Year Crime:

2001

Year Convicted:

2003

Year Cleared:

2014

U.S. State or Country of Crime:

India

County or Region of Crime:

Tamil Nadu

City of Crime:

Malaiyuruppu Puliyampettai

Result:

Judicially Exonerated Released

Summary of Case:

"Durairaj @ Duraikannu was wrongly convicted of murder on August 1, 2003 in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. Duraikannu's prosecution was based on the allegation that at 9 a.m. on November 6, 2001 he got into a violent dispute with his neighbor Rajadurai, over aa thatched roof he had put on his house. Rajadurai was taken to the Government Hospital by his wife and daughter. After he was treated at the hospital he was referred for further treatment to the Thanjavur Medical College and Hospital. Rajadurai did at noon on November 7, 2001. The prosecution's key witness was Rajadurai's wife. The prosecution argued that Rajadurai's death was caused by Duraikannu. Duraikannu's defense was that he didn't have a violent confrontation as alleged by Rajadurai's wife, and he didn't cause his death. After is conviction Duraikannu was sentenced to life in prison. He appealed. On September 24, 2014 the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court set-aside Duraikannu's conviction and ordered his acquittal on the basis the prosecution introduced insufficient evidence to prove he caused the death. The Court's ruling stated: "In view of the above discussion, this Court has no hesitation to hold that the prosecution has not proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and no tangible motive as stated by the prosecution has been established for the accused to commit the offence as alleged by the prosecution. The doubts have not been clearly explained by the prosecution in any manner. .. Further, it is seen that there is no relevant material available on record, to accept the prosecution case. Hence, owing to all the above discussions and principles laid down in the above decisions this Court comes to a conclusion that the appellant is not guilty of the offence under Section 302 IPC." [Durairaj @ Duraikannu Vs. The State, No. Crl.A.(MD)No.351 of 2008 (The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, 9-24-2014)]"

Conviction Caused By:

Innocence Proved By:

"On September 24, 2014 the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court set-aside Duraikannu's conviction and ordered his acquittal on the basis the prosecution introduced insufficient evidence to prove he caused the death. The Court's ruling stated: "In view of the above discussion, this Court has no hesitation to hold that the prosecution has not proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and no tangible motive as stated by the prosecution has been established for the accused to commit the offence as alleged by the prosecution. The doubts have not been clearly explained by the prosecution in any manner. .. Further, it is seen that there is no relevant material available on record, to accept the prosecution case. Hence, owing to all the above discussions and principles laid down in the above decisions this Court comes to a conclusion that the appellant is not guilty of the offence under Section 302 IPC." [Durairaj @ Duraikannu Vs. The State, No. Crl.A.(MD)No.351 of 2008 (The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, 9-24-2014)]"

Defendant Aided By:

Compensation Awarded:

Was Perpetrator Identified?

Age When Imprisoned:

Age When Released:

Sex:

Male

Skin/Ethnicity:

Indian

Information Source 1:

"Durairaj @ Duraikannu Vs. The State, No. Crl.A.(MD)No.351 of 2008 (The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, 9-24-2014) (Conviction set-aside and acquittal ordered based on insufficient evidence.)"

Information Location 1:

http://judis.nic.in/HCS/list_new2.asp?FileName=68651&Table_Main_Txt=cheordtext

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