Saravana Bhavan proprietor's conviction in curious murder case upheld
March 29, 2019
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the Madras High Court's conviction
of P Rajagopal, owner of the popular Saravana Bhavan chain of restaurants, and
ordered him to surrender by July 7.
He was awarded life sentence for killing an employee of Saravana Bhavan in
October 2001 to marry his wife. He was on bail since 2009 on medical ground.
The bench of Justice NV Ramana gave him time till July 7 to surrender on medical
grounds.
The Saravana Bhavan employee Prince Santhakumar's body was found at Perumalmalai
in the Kodaikanal forests.
According to prosecution, Rajagopal wanted to marry his employee Ramaswamy's
daughter Jeevajothi, but she did not agree and she married Santhakumar in 1999.
Later both had complained to police that Rajagopal and his men were threatening
them. Thereafter, Santhakumar was kidnapped and murdered.
Saravana Bhavan has outlets in about 20 countries.
