RI for eight in murder case

A district court here on Wednesday sentenced eight persons to rigorous imprisonment for life after being convicted of the murder of Sunil Babu, 27. Additional District and Sessions Judge P.N. Seetha also slapped a fine of ₹2 lakh on the accused. If they defaulted on the fine, they would have to serve additional time in prison.

The guilty are Sreejith, 32; Gabri Arun, 26; Kicha Vineet, 26; Mali Aneesh, 26; Kari Binu, 39; Kallan Saju, 38; Saji, 38; and Copra Suresh, 38.

They were residents of Puthenpalam Colony, which had witnessed internecine feuds between criminal gangs in 2015-16.

The accused had severely wounded Sunil at the Kannanmoola junction around 7.30 p.m. on December 13, 2015. He was a manual labourer and resident of the colony.

The victim succumbed to his injuries on December 15.

A police team led by Sheen Tharayil investigated the case. It found that the accused had wreaked vengeance on Sunil for his transgressions against their gang members.

Mr. Tharayil linked the accused to the crime by relying on forensic and digital evidence. Mobile phone records showed the presence of the accused at the crime scene.

Government pleader M. Salahudeen prosecuted the case. He sought to prove the crime after a few prosecution witnesses retracted their statements.

Perjury charge

The judge ordered the police to prosecute them for perjury. The court also placed on record its appreciation for the police and the prosecution for having solved a problematic case in which witnesses were not forthcoming for fear of retribution by the suspects and their allies.