Murder in self-defence line upheld, job restored

MADURAI: Stating that “it is a fit case of exercising a right of self-defence”, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has revoked the suspension of an anganwadi worker, whose attempt of self-defence from an alleged rapist accidentally led to his death.S Vasuki, an anganwadi worker at Kavunji Children’s Centre near Kodaikanal was arrested in a criminal case after the death of Madhukumar, a friend of Vasuki’s husband. On August 19, 2011, Madhukumar taking advantage of the absence of Vasuki’s husband at her house allegedly tried to rape her.According to C Arul Vadivel Sekar, counsel for the petitioner, in an act of self-defence, Vasuki reportedly retaliated with  reasonable force due to which Madhukumar sustained injuries. Thereafter, he was admitted in a hospital but died after 45 days of treatment, said the counsel. Vasuki was arrested on August 23 and released on bail on October 10, 2011.In an order on August 27, 2011, the Dindigul Collector  suspended Vasuki from service since she was in prison for over 48 hours. The petitioner made representations to get the suspension revoked on December 7, but there has been no response, the counsel said, while approaching the court to set aside the suspension.  The Special Government Pleader contended that the investigation in the case was not yet over and the chargesheet was yet to be filed.When the case came up before Justice T Raja, he said the court did not find any merit in the submission of the Special Government Pleader. “Prima facie, it appears, this is a fit case of exercising a right of self-defence against an alleged rapist who attempted to rape her (the petitioner).