Periya double murder case

Last updated
Periya double murder case
Location Periye, Kasaragod district Kerala, India
DateFebruary 17, 2019;6 years ago (2019-02-17)
Attack type
Murder
Deaths2
Accused28
Convicted14

On 17 February 2019, two Youth Congress activists from Kallyod, [1] 23-year-old Sharath Lal and 19-year-old Kripesh, were stabbed to death at Kallyod Periye, Kasaragod district Kerala, India. [2] At trial, 14 people were found guilty for their involvement in the killings, of 24 people accused.

Contents

Background

In January 2019, Sharath Lal assaulted one of the accused during a clash regarding a Perumkaliyattam celebration in Kalliot, which Sharath Lal had helped organized. Sharath Lal was briefly imprisoned on an assault charge, but was released by 17 February. [3]

Murders

On February 17, 2019, at around 7:30 pm, Sharath Lal and Kripesh were riding a motorcycle along the Koorankara road in Kallyod (Periye), a rural area in Kasaragod district. They were intercepted by a group of assailants and attacked; Kripesh was declared dead on site, while Sharath died on route to hospital. [2]

Responses

The killings, believed to have been politically motivated, immediately sparked outrage and led to widespread protests. [4] [5]

Investigation

In March 2019, the Crime Branch arrested A Peethambaran, a CPM local committee member, and C J Saji, his accomplice. However, there was widespread dissatisfaction with the progress of the investigation. [6] In April 2019, in response to public outcry, the parents of the victims approached the Kerala High Court, demanding that the case be handed over to the CBI. The court ruled in favor of their petition.[ citation needed ] In September 2019, the High Court’s Single Bench ordered the transfer of the investigation to the CBI, a decision that was upheld by the Division Bench. [7]

In December 2021, after the state government’s challenge was rejected by the Supreme Court, the CBI took over the investigation. [8]

Trial

The trial began in Kochi in February 2023. [3] In December 2024, the court found 14 of the 24 accused guilty for their involvement in the killings. [9] [10] [5] [11]

References

  1. ↑ "CBI re-enacts attack on Sarath Lal, Kripesh in Periya". December 16, 2020 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
  2. 1 2 "Kerala: Two Congress workers hacked to death in Kasaragod". The Times of India . February 17, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Periya twin murder case verdict on December 28". The New Indian Express. December 24, 2024.
  4. ↑ "CBI court issues media gag order in Periya twin murder case trial". The Hindu . February 9, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Sudhi, K. S. (December 28, 2024). "Periya twin murder case verdict: 14 convicted, 10 let off". The Hindu .
  6. ↑ "Periya double murder: Two CPM leaders arrested, granted bail". May 14, 2019 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
  7. ↑ "Periya murders: SC upholds Kerala HC order for CBI probe". December 2, 2020 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
  8. ↑ "Five CPI(M) workers held in Periya murder case". The Hindu . December 1, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Periya double murder case: Court finds 14 guilty, including former MLA KV Kunhiraman". English.Mathrubhumi. December 28, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Periya double murder: Court finds 14 guilty including CPM ex-MLA Kunhiraman, acquits 10, to award sentence on Jan 3". Onmanorama .
  11. ↑ "Periya double murder case verdict today: Heavy police security in Kalliot". English.Mathrubhumi. December 28, 2024.
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