TIRUCHY: Thanjavur court on Friday awarded life imprisonment to four persons who murdered a Saivite priest in Kumbakonam, and the court also recommended a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the victim.

R Manikandan (45), a resident of Seelanayakkanpatti in Salem, has been living in Thiruvaikavur in Thanjavur along with his father Ramamurthy. Both are Saivite priests involved in puja rituals and other religious activities at the Sivan temple in Aduthurai.

On June 12, 2015, Karthi (39) from Thiruvaikavur approached Manikandan and asked him to perform a ritual. However, Manikandan, who was already engaged in another programme, refused to go with Karthi, who became furious.

He stopped Manikandan on June 14, 2015, while he was going for the already committed ritual and manhandled Manikandan with his relatives Aravindaraj (35), Raja alias Hariraja (25), Venkatesan (32) and Velu alias Jayavel (36).

The severely injured Manikandan was rushed to Kumbakondam GH. However, he succumbed on June 23, 2015.

Kabistalam police registered a case and arrested Karthi, Aravaindaraja, Raja alias Hariraja, Venkatesan and Velur, and the case was in progress with the Kumbakonam District Sessions Court.

On Friday, Judge Radhika, who heard the case, awarded life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 7,500 each to Karthi, Aravindaraja, Venkatesan and Velu as Raja had already died.

The Judge also recommended a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of Manikandan.