The top court upheld the life sentence of Rajagopal for the murder of an employee of Saravana Bhavan,

NEW DELHI: The owner of Saravana Bhavan chain of hotels, P Rajagopal, has been ordered by the Supreme Court to surrender. The top court today upheld the conviction and life sentence of Rajagopal for the murder of an employee of Saravana Bhavan, who was working with the hotel group, in 2001.

Rajagopal, out on bail granted by the Supreme Court in 2009, has to surrender by July 7.

Rajagopal had challenged the Madras High Court verdict, sentencing him to life for murdering Santhakumar. The Saravana Bhavan owner had wanted to marry the employee’s wife, the prosecution had argued.

Santhakumar was murdered and buried at Perumalmalai in the Kodaikanal forests.

It was the case of the prosecution that Rajagopal wanted to marry Santhakumar’s wife Jeevajothi, as his third wife and plotted the murder of the employee.

Saravana Bhavan, a well-known restaurant chain, has its outlets in 20 countries including the US, the UK, France and Australia. There are 25 restaurants in India including in Delhi.