In a significant ruling in the Attappadi Madhu lynching case, the Kerala High Court has increased the sentence of 12 convicted individuals to life imprisonment. This decision stems from the horrific mob lynching of a tribal youth, Madhu, in Attappady back in 2018. Madhu, a 27-year-old tribal resident of Chindakki settlement in Attappady, Palakkad, was lynched on accusations of theft.
The Division Bench, comprising Justices V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar, elevated the previous seven-year jail term to life imprisonment. Additionally, the court ordered a compensation of Rs 30 lakh to be paid to Madhu’s mother, Malli, along with the disbursement of earlier awarded compensation within three months if not already done. Madhu, who suffered from mental health issues and resided in a forest cave, was subjected to a brutal public assault before his demise.
The High Court upheld the conviction of the 12 accused under various sections of the IPC and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Notably, the individuals sentenced to life imprisonment include Marakkar, Shamsudheen, Radhakrishnan, Aboobacker, Sidhique, Ubaid, Najeeb, Jaijumon, Sajeev, Satheesh, Hareesh, and Biju. Each of them was also fined Rs 2 lakh.
Moreover, the court acquitted the first accused, Hussain, due to insufficient evidence, and upheld the acquittal of Anish and Abdul Karim. The sentence of Muneer, previously imprisoned for three months, was extended to one year based on applicable sections of the SC/ST Act. Despite challenges during the trial, including witness hostility, digital evidence such as photos and videos provided crucial support for the convictions.
Madhu’s family, after enduring a lengthy legal battle amid pressures and threats, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating that justice has been served. They are, however, considering an appeal against the acquittal of the first accused.
