A large crowd had gathered at the court since 10 a.m. to hear the verdict, among them IIM alumni and others who had campaigned for justice. The administration had made special security arrangements, installing metal detectors and posting several policemen. Some of the men with the accused roughed up mediapersons and damaged a camera before being restrained by police.

In Bangalore, Manjunath’s father M Shanmugam said the judgment was good but offers him little solace.

“The court’s decision is good and welcome, but the truth is that I lost my son. I was thinking my retirement would be very gloomy but the verdict has brought a little sense of justice,” who retires in seven days from his job at BEML, Kolar Gold Fields. “More than me, the judgment is good for the country and IOC. It’s a lesson for adulterators and anti-social elements. We want the accused sentenced to death.”

His mother Pramila said she felt good that the judgment came so early. “It’s the interest taken by Manjunath’s friends at IIM and the media that has helped. We were told the accused are very powerful and the trial will drag on and on,” she said. “However, our happiness went when our son died. Now, nothing can bring that back.”

For Manjunath’s brother Raghavendra Shanmugam, now an inspection engineer with an MNC in Bangalore, and his younger sister also now employed in Bangalore, the verdict in Manjunath’s murder trial has provided some relief.

“It was always hurting to think that the people who killed my brother could walk free. The verdict has brought some relief,” Raghavendra said.

... contd.