The Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with appeals filed by the defendants sentenced to death over the 2015 abduction, gang rape, and murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya.

The appeals, seeking acquitted from charges, will be taken up for consideration on 25 August 25.

Accordingly, in 2017, the Jaffna High Court sentenced 7 suspects, including ‘Swiss Kumar,’ to death, along with a 30-year prison term and Rs. 1 million in compensation.

The defendants claim their sentences were imposed in violation of the law.