Kerala: Eight CPI-Marxist Members Sentenced To Life For 2005 Murder Of BJP Worker In Kannur

After nearly two decades of legal proceedings, the Thalassery District Sessions Court on Monday (24 March) delivered its long-awaited verdict in the 2005 murder of BJP worker Suraj, sentencing eight members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to life imprisonment and one to three years in prison.

The Hindu reported that the Kerala court found nine CPI(M) men guilty of murder and criminal conspiracy, while acquitting the tenth accused due to lack of evidence. Two other accused — PK Shamsuddin and TP Raveendran died during the trial.

Among those handed life terms are TK Rajeesh — also an accused in the TP Chandrasekharan murder case along with NV Yagesh, K Shamjith, Neyyoth Sajeevan, Prabhakaran, KV Padmanabhan, Manoraj Narayanan, and Manombeth Radhakrishnan.

The 11th accused, Pradeepan, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment.

Suraj, 32, was hacked to death in broad daylight near the Muzhappilangad telephone exchange on 7 August 2005. According to the prosecution, the attack was politically motivated. Suraj had allegedly been targeted for leaving the CPI(M) to join the BJP.

His assailants reportedly arrived in an autorickshaw, threw a bomb, and launched a brutal assault with weapons. He had earlier survived a murder attempt six months prior, which left him bedridden.

In response to the verdict, CPI(M) Kannur district secretary MV Jayarajan said that those convicted are "innocent" and the party will take steps to "protect them.” He confirmed that an appeal would be filed, questioning the police’s claims and the court’s reasoning.