The High Court has of Kerala stayed the conviction of four individuals, including former MLA and CPI(M) leader K.V. Kunhiraman, in the Periya double-murder case.
The other three are Kanhangad Block Panchayat President K. Manikandan, Raghavan Velutholi, and A.V. Bhaskaran. Their convictions, previously handed down by a CBI court in Kochi, were paused following the High Court’s decision.
On December 28, the CBI court found 14 of the accused guilty in the Periya twin murder case, while 10 others were acquitted. Charges of murder were upheld against the accused, numbered one to eight.
The case revolves around the brutal killings of Youth Congress workers Kripesh (19) and Sarath Lal P.K. (24) on February 17, 2019, allegedly by CPI(M) members in Periya, Kasaragod district. Initially investigated by Kerala Police, the case was transferred to the CBI following allegations of bias. Over two years, the trial featured testimonies from 154 prosecution and three defence witnesses.
Kunhiraman, the 20th accused, along with Manikandan, Raghavan, and Bhaskaran, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment under Section 225 of the IPC for obstructing lawful apprehension. All four were housed at Ernakulam District Jail before the High Court’s intervention.
Following the verdict, the Congress party strongly criticized the CPI(M) and the Pinarayi Vijayan government. However, the Kerala High Court’s decision seems to offer some relief to the ruling party.
The families of Sarath Lal have expressed shock and disappointment over the High Court’s decision. While talking to the media, Sarath Lal’s father accused the state government of aiding the convicts in evading justice. He vowed to continue his efforts to ensure the maximum punishment for those responsible for the murders.
