Kochi: A CBI court here on Saturday found 14 accused including a CPI(M) former MLA guilty in the murder of two Youth Congress workers – Kripesh and Sarath Lal at Periya in Kasaragod district of Kerala five years ago.
Of the 24 accused, the court found the first eight accused guilty of murder and conspiracy charges and another six guilty of conspiracy, destruction of evidence and providing assistance for operating the crime, while remaining 10 accused have been acquitted in the case.
The court will pronounce the sentence on January 3.
The quantum of punishment will be announced on January 3. Besides Kunhiraman, those found guilty include Peethambaran (former Periya local committee member), Saji C. George, K.M. Suresh, K. Anil Kumar, Jijin, R. Sreerag, A. Ashwin, Subeesh, A. Murali, Ranjith, K. Manikandan (former Uduma area secretary and Kanhangad block panchayat president), A. Surendran, Raghavan Velutholli (former Pakkam local secretary), and K.V. Bhaskaran.
The verdict pertains to a case in which the state government spent lakhs and even approached the Supreme Court to oppose the CBI investigation.
Case history: The case involves the murder of Youth Congress workers Kripesh (19) and Sarath Lal P.K. (24) allegedly by CPI(M) workers on February 17, 2019, at Periya in Kasaragod district. Initially investigated by the Kerala Police, the case was later transferred to the CBI amid allegations of bias. The trial, spanning over two years, included testimony from 154 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses. The charges against the accused include murder, conspiracy, and destruction of evidence.
The CBI argued in court that the twin murders stemmed from politically motivated attacks and counterattacks between CPI(M) and Congress workers in the area. Prior to the murder, Peethambaran, and co-accused Surendran, were assaulted by Sarath Lal and others on January 5, 2019, at Kalliot, following a clash between political activists from Congress and CPI(M).
The Crime Branch of the Kerala Police had apprehended the first accused, Peethambaran, and others directly involved in the act, while the CBI concentrated its investigation on the conspiracy behind the crime. This investigation led to Kunhiraman being included as an accused. Other CPI(M) leaders, including Manikandan, and party leaders Raghavan Velutholli, N. Balakrishnan, and Bhaskaran Velutholli, were subsequently named as accused. The trial began in the CBI court in Kochi on February 2, 2023.
Ahead of the verdict, police have intensified security in Periya and Kalliot. A route march involving around 100 officers was conducted in Kalliot to prevent any potential clashes.
Following the verdict, Congress leaders strongly criticised the CPI(M) and the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Congress MP Shafi Parambil stated that the court’s ruling in the Periya twin murder case is a significant setback for the CPI(M). He expressed disappointment over the acquittal of 10 individuals accused of being involved in the conspiracy, asserting that they too should be punished. Parambil further stated that the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is acting as the protector of the accused.
Meanwhile, Kripesh’s mother alleged that the state government attempted to derail the investigation in the case.
