Local body election in Tamil Nadu was notified and reserved Melavalavu as reserved for SCs.
Murugesan was elected as the president and six other Dalits were elected as vice-president and members of the Melavalavu Panchayat.
Murugesan and six others who contested unmindful of the threats, were brutally killed and beheaded in broad daylight.
The trial court convicted 17 (one died during the trial period) of the 44 charge sheeted on various charges including murder and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
Madras High Court upheld the trial court's judgement.
Of the 17, three were given remission.
The Supreme Court also upheld the judgement.
13 convicts were given remission and released from prison.