Kerala BJP Worker Murder Case: Life Sentences for CM Vijayan's Press Secretary's Brother and Seven Others
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a significant legal ruling, the Thalassery District Sessions Court sentenced eight CPI(M) members to life imprisonment for the 2005 murder of BJP worker Suraj, with one other convict receiving a three-year sentence. The case was marked by delays and controversy surrounding the investigation.
Key Takeaways
- Eight CPI(M) workers sentenced to life imprisonment.
- One convict received a three-year sentence.
- The murder of Suraj occurred in 2005.
- Controversy surrounds the investigation process.
- Support from CPI(M) leadership for the convicted members.
Kannur, March 24 (NationPress) The Thalassery District Sessions Court in Kerala has on Monday sentenced eight CPI(M) members to life imprisonment and a ninth individual to three years for the murder of Suraj, a worker from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which occurred in 2005.
Among the nine convicted individuals, Manoraj, is the sibling of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s press secretary, P.M. Manoj.
The case began with a total of 12 accused, but during the trial, two died, and one was acquitted on March 21.
The 11th accused received a three-year prison sentence. The court found these nine CPI(M) members guilty of murder on the same day.
Following the verdict, M.V. Jayarajan, the Kannur CPI(M) district secretary, stated that the party would support their members and challenge the ruling.
“The investigation was not conducted properly as the police failed to do a thorough job... Several workers were later added as defendants,” Jayarajan remarked.
The horrific murder transpired on August 7, 2005, in Muzhappilangad, a locality dominated by the Communist Party, near Thalassery in Kannur.
The nine convicts harbored resentment against Suraj, who had left the CPI(M) in 2004 due to ideological differences and joined the BJP, making a living as an autorickshaw driver.
One day, a group of individuals entered his autorickshaw under the pretense of taking a ride, and he was soon attacked from behind while driving.
Although he survived that attack after weeks of hospitalization and was bedridden for months, Suraj faced another assault on the morning of August 7, 2005, by a gang of nearly a dozen assailants.
Before attacking him with knives and swords, the group detonated a country bomb to terrify the locals and force them to flee.
After ensuring Suraj was dead, they fled the scene.
It was only when Suraj’s mother approached the Kerala High Court that a special public prosecutor was appointed for the case.
“Justice has been served to Suraj after 20 years,” said the attorney who represented Suraj's family.
Notably, one of the accused, T.K. Rejeesh, is also implicated in the murder case of T.P. Chandrasekheran.
