The petitioner in this criminal revision case has been convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for one year and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000 and in default of payment of the fine to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, under section 409, Indian Penal Code, by the learned Sessions Judge of Tirunelveli Division, who confirmed the conviction and sentence by the learned District Magistrate of Tirunelveli.

The petitioner, the present Zamindar of Uthumalai estate, is said to be a premier citizen of the District of Tirunelveli. The said Zamindar is the trustee of Navaneetha Krishnaswami temple at Veerakeralampudur. Before him, his father was the trustee for a short time. The latter was shot dead on the 18th September, 1942. Before his death, the grandfather of the present petitioner, one Subbiah Thevar, was the Zamindar. The said grandfather of the present petitioner died on. the 1st January, 1941. The said Subbiah Thevar was the brother of Rani Meenakshisundara Nachiar, who was the Zamindarini for a long time till her death on 4th July, 1921. From 1902 up to 1922 the estate as well as the Devasthanam were under the management of the Courts of Wards.