Date:16/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051650150100.htm

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9 convicted, 3 acquitted in Kanichukulangara case

Staff Reporter

Court will pronounce the sentence tomorrow

ALAPPUZHA: District and Sessions Court Judge D. Sreevallabhan here on Thursday convicted nine persons of murder and conspiracy in the Kanichukulangara triple murder case. Three persons were acquitted in the case, the sentence of which will be pronounced on Saturday.

Reading out from the 335-page judgment at the District and Sessions Court, Justice Sreevallabhan ruled that the prosecution had succeeded in “convincingly proving” the crime.

The first four accused – Unni, Ajithkumar, Saju alias Mrigam Saju, Shibi — and the sixth and seventh accused – Himalaya Group managing directors N. Sajith and K.M. Binish — were found guilty of conspiracy, abetting crime, attempt to murder, murder and of a criminal act done by several persons under Sections 120 B, 109, 307, 302 and 34 respectively of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Fifth, eighth and 12th accused – Unnikrishnan alias Chimbootan, Gokulan and Shibinraj — were found guilty of harbouring the accused and of a criminal act done by several persons under IPC Sections 212 and 34 in that order. The three acquitted were Daniel, Ambika and Sujith, ninth, 10th and 11th accused in the case.

The prosecution case was a lorry driven by Unni and Ajithkumar had purposefully rammed a Tata Safari carrying T.G. Ramesh, his sister Latha, driver Shamsuddin and two others near the Autokast factory at Kanichukulangara. Vijayadharan and Kuttikrishnan survived the crash. The murder was allegedly ordered by Sajith and Binish with whom Ramesh had parted ways a few months earlier to set up his own firm.

Thirteen persons were named as accused, of which the 13th accused, Sanish, is still absconding. The nine-month-long trial saw 19 witnesses turning hostile.