In a recent ruling, the Madras High Court condemned the ten individuals involved in the 2015 murder of Dalit youth Gokulraj, stating that their actions were driven by deep-rooted caste hatred. Justices MS Ramesh and N Anand Venkatesh emphasized that the case exposed the negative aspects of our society, including the caste system, bigotry, and the alarming trend of witnesses intentionally turning hostile to manipulate the course of justice. The court expressed concern over the ease with which the criminal justice system can be manipulated and stressed the responsibility of judges to deliver justice within the confines of the law. Gokulraj, an engineering student, had gone missing and was later found dead near a railway track, his murder later proven to be motivated by caste discrimination. The court upheld the life imprisonment sentences given to the ten convicts, including the prime accused, who had attempted to influence the media to create doubt about his involvement in the case. Furthermore, the court called for the enactment of legislation regulating electronic evidence and the adoption of standardized procedures in cases relying on CCTV footage and similar forms of electronic evidence. The ruling underscored the need for the judiciary to remain unaffected by media reports and public opinion, ensuring a fair and impartial trial. Legal counsels represented the convicts, Gokulraj's mother, and the state in the proceedings.
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