Isha Sahni
Thanjavur

A local court convicted 10 persons nearly a decade after 90 children were charred to death in a major fire at the Sri Krishna Middle School complex in Kumbakonam.

Of the convicted, the court on Wednesday charged 5 guilty under various IPC (Indian Penal Code) sections.

Those found guilty included Pulava Palanisamy, owner and founder of the School, his wife and school correspondent Saraswathi, headmistress Santhalakshmi, noon meal organizer Vijaylakshmi and cook Vasanthi.
The court, however, acquitted 11 other accused.

The Principal District and Sessions Judge, Mohammed Ali, sentenced Pulava Palanisamy to 10 year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 47 lakhs. The four other school functionaries were ssentenced to 5 year of rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs. 25 lakhs, each.

A major fire had broken out in the Sri Krishna Middle School complex on July 7, 2004
Even though 80 children were rescued by the local people, 70 lost their lives as ablaze roof collapsed.

Out if the 49 children who were rushed to the hospital, 20 succumbed to their injuries, later.