14 Convicted in Kerala CBI Court, Including Former CPI-M MLA, for Congress Leaders' Twin Murders
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Kochi, Dec 28 (NationPress) On Saturday, a CBI court in this city found 14 members of the CPI-M guilty, including a former legislator, in connection with the Periya twin murder case. Out of the 24 individuals initially implicated by the CBI, the court acquitted 10. The sentencing is set for January 3.
This case revolves around the heinous killings of Youth Congress activists Kripesh (19) and P.K. Sarath Lal (24) on February 17, 2019, in Periya, Kasaragod district. The victims were reportedly murdered by CPI-M members as part of a politically charged assault.
The court determined that eight of the accused were directly responsible for the murders, while six others had indirect involvement. Among those convicted is K.V. Kunhiraman, a former MLA and CPI-M district leader, who was accused of forcibly extracting the second accused from police custody.
Initially examined by the Crime Branch, the case was later transferred to the CBI after a petition was submitted by the victims’ families to the High Court. The CBI concluded that the killings arose from a cycle of politically instigated violence between CPI-M and Congress activists in the area.
In response to the ruling, Kasaragod Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan voiced his ambivalence, stating, “We are not entirely satisfied with the judgment. The Kerala government, if it has any morals, should resign. The administration led by Pinarayi Vijayan invested millions to shield the accused. This was a murder sponsored by the CPI-M. We will seek legal counsel for our next steps, as 10 accused have been acquitted,” he said.
After the ruling, relatives of the victims, accompanied by Congress party members, visited the victims’ burial sites to pay their respects.
Vadakara Congress MP and Youth Congress president Shafi Parambil pointed out the involvement of CPI-M leaders at various echelons in the crime. “The murders were executed with the awareness of the prominent figures within the party, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan,” claimed Parambil.
Independent legislator K.K. Rema, whose husband, T.P. Chandrasekharan, was also a victim of CPI-M violence, condemned the party’s efforts to protect the accused. “This ruling is yet another setback for the CPI-M, which allocated substantial funds for high-priced legal representation from Delhi to safeguard the accused. Now, we await the punishment,” remarked Rema.
