The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence against three convicts in the gang rape and murder of schoolgirl Vidya Sivaloganathan in Pungudutheevu, Jaffna, was formally read out before the accused yesterday (15).
Seven individuals were initially found guilty of the rape and murder of Vidya Sivaloganathan, and the Jaffna High Court sentenced all seven to death.
However, following the hearing of appeals filed before the Supreme Court challenging the convictions and sentences, two of the seven convicts were acquitted and ordered to be released. In addition, one of the convicted individuals died in prison due to illness before the appeals were heard.
As a result, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentences imposed by the Jaffna High Court on the remaining four convicts. Subsequently, one of those four convicts reportedly took his own life by hanging while in custody at a prison in Colombo.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, the Jaffna High Court formally re-read the judgment, ordered the release of the two acquitted individuals, and officially informed the three surviving convicts that their death sentences had been upheld.
After the verdict was announced, the three convicts were escorted to Jaffna Prison under tight security.
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