Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Mar 11: Through a verdict delivered on Thursday March 10, the first grade court in Hosadurga sentenced three of the accused to six years each, two to two years each, and another to one and half years of rigorous imprisonment, relating to the robbery of North Malbar Grameena Bank’s Periya branch.

Third accused, Krishnamurty (39) from Peelumadu Tamilnadu, sixth accused, Annadorai (41), and Chinnamurugan  (37), were awarded six years of rigorous imprisonment each. They have also been fined an amount of Rs.10,000 each for the offence, and  additional nine months imprisonment in case of failure to pay up the fine.

Eighth accused, Hanif (41), and 12th accused, Shankar (39) from Tamil Nadu, have got a sentence of two years each. Murugan, ninth accused, has been awarded 18 months of rigorous imprisonment.

The thieves, who had entered the said bank on June 17, 2009, had stolen 33 kgs of gold ornaments and Rs 6.75 lac in cash. Out of the 14 accused, only eight could be arrested, and six are at large. Main accused Velayudhan, Rameshan, Periya Murugan, Palani, Muniyan and Saroja are yet to be arrested. Hanif, Murugan, Anjali, Shekhar and Shankar face the charge of facilitating sale of ornaments. Anjali and Hanif had secured fail from the court.