Marottichal Riju murder case: three accused sentenced to life imprisonment

The Thrissur First Additional District Court on Friday sentenced the three accused in the Marottichal Riju murder case to life imprisonment along with a fine.

The verdict was pronounced by Justice K. Kamanees. The court awarded life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹3,10,000 on the second, sixth and seventh accused — Sherry alias Kunjumon, Prakasan and Anoop. The sentence relates to the attack on brothers Riju and Biju at Ragam Junction in Marottichal, in which Riju was killed and Biju sustained serious injuries. The case was registered by the Ollur police.

The incident dates back to 2010 and stemmed from a dispute linked to a private bus service operating on the Kallur–Marottichal route. The rivalry intensified after a police case was registered over vandalising of a bus owned by Biju, Riju’s brother. This enmity ultimately culminated in the fatal attack.

According to the prosecution, the assault was carried out by an unlawful assembly led by the first accused, Keetayi Baiju. Though the first accused died before the commencement of the trial, proceedings continued against the remaining accused under Sections 147, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code for unlawful assembly and rioting. During the course of the trial, the fourth accused also died.

Absconded during trial

The court noted that the third accused had absconded during the trial, following which his bail was cancelled and an arrest warrant issued. The fifth accused is currently undergoing treatment in hospital and is in a critical condition.

The judgment brings closure to a long-pending case that had shaken the Marottichal region more than a decade ago.