The Supreme Court today (March 29, 2019) upheld the conviction and life imprisonment of P. Rajagopal, the owner of the Saravana Bhavan group of hotels.
A Bench presided by Justice N.V. Ramana passed the judgment and asked Rajagopal to surrender by July 7, 2019.
Rajagopal along with five of his accomplices had been accused of abducting and murdering an employee, Prince Shantakumar, in October 2001 so that he could marry his wife.
They were convicted by the Sessions Court for murder and had been sentenced to ten years imprisonment.
However, the Madras High Court finding the case a grave one done with a clear intention enhanced the punishment to life imprisonment. Aggrieved by the decision, the convicts moved the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had granted bail to the convicts in 2009.
