Madras HC Dismisses Appeals By Convicted Officials In 1992 Vachathi Atrocities Case; Asks State To Provide Rs 10 Lakh Compensation To Rape Victims

Justice P Velmurugan of the Madras High Court today (29 September) dismissed appeals filed by officials of the revenue, police and forest departments who were convicted for the atrocities committed in Vachathi village in 1992.

He directed the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to each of the 18 rape victims and said that it could recover Rs 5 lakh from those convicted for rape.

Further, he ordered that the state goverment should provide employment to the victims, improve their livelihoods and take stringent action against the then Collector, SP and District Forest Officer.

According to a report by The Hindu, while the officials allegedly came to the village inhabited by 'Malayali' (hill) tribes in Dharmapuri district, on the pretext of a raid on illegal sandalwood logging, what actually happened was the torture and rape of 18 young women and girls, stealing of livestock and destruction of homes. A number of villagers were taken to a forest office and severely beaten by officials and later put in jail.

The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Sessions Court in 2011 convicted 269 personnel and among them 17 were convicted for rape.

The then Principal Conservator of Forests, Conservator of Forests, Assistant Conservator of Forests and District Forest Officer were among the senior officials accused.