HC acquits five CPI(M) workers convicted in Surendran murder case

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday acquitted five CPI(M) activists who had been sentenced to life for the murder of K.V. Surendran, a BJP activist, at Thalassery in 2008.

The court observed that the entire prosecution narrative revolved around the evidence of the sole eyewitness — the wife of the deceased. The trial court had found the accused guilty of murder charge, relying mainly on her evidence.

“Her version appears to be unreliable and untrustworthy, while her presence at the scene of the occurrence is very much doubtful, “ said the court while hearing the appeal filed by Akhilesh, Bijesh, Kalesh, Shyjesh, and Vineesh who sought to quash the order of the trial court in Thalassery that awarded life imprisonment to them.

Their counsel submitted that the judgment of the trial court was illegal as it overlooked various circumstances which would indicate that the wife of the deceased was not present inside the house at the time of the incident.