Clad in saffron robe, Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict Murugan appears in Vellore court

VELLORE: Clad in a saffron robe, Sriharan (alias) Murugan, a life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, appeared in the judicial magistrate court – I in Vellore for trial in a case registered against him for keeping a cellphone and a SIM card in his cell.Murugan, sporting long beard, was brought to the court around 11.30am amidst tight security. Deputy superintendent of police S Arockiam and his team escorted him to the court. After hearing, he was taken to the prison by 12.30pm.The prison officials seized two cellphones, three SIM cards and a charger from his cell on March 25. Following this, the prison authorities filed a case against Murugan. The Bagayam police registered a case under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his/her duty) of the IPC read with 48 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Prisoners Act and commenced the investigation. After conducting an inquiry, the police filed the chargesheet in the JM Court – I. The next hearing has been posted on May 4. Except a few words with the judge, he remained silent in the court. “Before the seizure of the cellphone, he was allowed to meet his wife Nalini, who is lodged in the Special Prison for Women, once in two weeks. But not now,” said a prison official. Murugan’s mother, who came from Sri Lanka on Tuesday to meet him, was denied permission as the prison authorities had cancelled his privileges, including interviews, as per the prison manual for keeping cellphone in his cell.