Dramatic scenes as Saravana Bhavan owner surrenders, to start life term over 2001 murder

Chennai: Founder of popular South Indian food chain 'Saravana Bhavan' P Rajagopal who has been sentenced to life for murdering his employee's son-in-law in a bid to marry his daughter surrendered before a sessions court here Tuesday in a dramatic manner.

Rajagopal, who moved the apex court citing health reasons, was brought to the premises of the Fourth Additional Sessions Court in an ambulance. He appeared in the Chennai court in a stretcher with an oxygen mask affixed after the Supreme Court rejected his plea seeking more time.

Separately, another convict Janardhanan was also brought to the court in an ambulance.

Following submissions of the counsel for the convicts in connection with the surrender, both of them are expected to be shifted to the Puzhal Central Prison here.

Earlier in the day, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice N V Ramana dismissed the plea of Rajagopal seeking more time on medical grounds to surrender, saying his illness was not raised before the court during the hearing of the appeal in the case.  

Rajagopal was to surrender on July 7 to serve life imprisonment for commissioning the murder of Prince Santhakumar, the husband of his employee's daughter Jeevajyothi in October 2001 for marrying her. Jyothi's 15-year-old legal battle succeeded in convicting him.

In 2004, Rajagopal was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. The sentence was raised to life sentence considering an appeal submitted against the sentence in High Court.  

His appeal against the Madras High Court order upholding the trial court's judgement convicting him was rejected by the apex court in March this year. His counsel will approach court on Wednesday for permitting an aide for his assistance in prison.  

(With inputs from PTI.)