3 convicted by Kerala court in connection with abduction killing of Mysuru-based healer

Malappuram(Kerala), Mar 20 (PTI) A Kerala court on Thursday found three people guilty in connection with the abduction of a Mysuru-based traditional healer and his brutal killing at one of the accused's residence at Nilambur here in 2019.

Additional District and Sessions Judge 1 Thushar M convicted Shaibin Ashraf, Shihabudheen and Nishad for the offences of criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement and destruction of evidence under the IPC in connection with the abduction and killing of 60-year-old Shaba Sharif.

The court also convicted Shihabudheen for the offence of kidnapping and Ashraf for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the IPC.

The order of their sentence is likely to be pronounced on March 22.

The court acquitted nine others who were accused in the case.

After the conviction of the three, the prosecutor in the case told reporters outside the court that a single hair found in Ashraf's car became instrumental in proving that Sharif was killed and his body disposed of by the accused.

"No body or body parts were found and therefore, it was very challenging to prove the case against the accused," the prosecutor said and praised the investigation carried out by the police.

He said that through the mitochondrial DNA of Sharif found in the hair, it was possible to prove the crime against the accused.

"We were able to prove his abduction, wrongful confinement and killing," the prosecutor said.

The abduction and homicide case came to light in 2022 during an investigation into a burglary case.

Ashraf, a businessman hailing from Kaipancheri here, had lodged a theft complaint against some of his associates.

The associates had then created a ruckus in front of the Secretariat in the state capital by attempting self immolation, claiming that they were being intimidated by the businessman.

They were arrested and handed over to Malappuram police and during their interrogation, the abduction and killing of the Mysuru-based traditional healer was revealed.

One of the accused also handed over to the police a pendrive containing a video of the victim being held confined in Ashraf's house.

Subsequent investigation revealed that Sharif's family had lodged a missing complaint in 2019.

The police, thereafter, found that Sharif, after being abducted, was subjected to brutal torture in captivity for over a year at Ashraf's house for a secret medicinal recipe of the healer to treat piles.

However, Sharif succumbed to the injuries suffered during his torture and his body was cut into pieces and dumped into the river, according to the police.

Ashraf had plans to launch a clinic after getting hold of the medicine formula and reap huge profits.

But, he and his associates had a falling out, leading to them stealing some of Ashraf's valuables and cash and him lodging a complaint against them.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)