The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday remanded a case of kidnap and murder to the trial court for providing the prime accused an opportunity of cross-examining material witnesses and then arrive at a fresh decision.

The accused, Bivulal alias Bivu alias Sanjay of Ejipura, Kishan, and K S Chandrashekhar of Koramangala were charged with kidnapping and murdering Nikhil (7) and Vishal (6) in March 2003. They had allegedly kidnapped the son and nephew of city businessman Mahaveerchand and demanded a ransom of Rs 6 lakh. After a complaint was lodged with the police, the children were killed.

The 4th Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge,  had convicted them and sentenced to death by hanging in April 2005, while holding the case under the category of rarest of rare cases. The Division Bench pronounced its judgement in the matter, while allowing the appeals filed by the accused against conviction  and dismissing the sessions court’s referrence made for confirmation of death penalty imposed.