HC verdict in Khairalanji Dalit killings today

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court will today pronounce the verdict in the killing of four Dalits at Khairalanji in Maharashtra. Surekha Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, her daughter Priyanka, sons Sudhir and Roshan were killed by a mob on September 29, 2006. The judgement will deal with confirmation of death sentence for six accused, an appeal filed by Central Bureau of Investigation seeking enhancement of the punishment of two accused who were sentenced to life imprisonment and a counter appeal of the accused challenging their conviction by a special court at Bhandara. Justice A P Lavande of the Nagpur bench will pronounce the verdict and Justice R C Chavan, who is not here due to assignment in Mumbai bench, will join the proceedings via video conferencing. A division bench consisting of Justice Lavande and Justice Chavan had earlier heard the matter on a day-to-day basis from March 29 and closed the matter for judgement before summer vacation. In view of sensitivity of the  matter, a tight vigil was maintained in and around High Court. A special court of S S Dass had on September 24, 2008, awarded capital punishment to six accused while two others were awarded life imprisonment.