Ranjith Sreenivasan murder: On 30 January, 2024 Tuesday Kerala court has sentenced to death penalty to 15 members of PFI (Popular Front of India) for killing BJP Leader Ranjith Sreenivasan. Popular Front of India (PFI) an Islamist outfit, is now-banned. The court decision was delivered by Mavelikkara additional district judge VG Sreedevi. Ranjith Sreenivasan was the state secretary of BJP OBC Morcha.
This will be the first time in the state that so many convicts have been sentenced to death at once.
Background of the Ranjith Sreenivasan Murder Case
Ranjith Sreenivasan, the state secretary of BJP OBC Morcha, was viciously attacked and murder in his home in Alappuzha district of Kerala on December 19, 2021. The assailants, allegedly affiliated with the PFI and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). They carried out the heinous crime in front of Sreenivasan’s mother, infant, and wife.
Prosecution’s Plea for Maximum Penalty
During the trial, the prosecution argued that the convicted individuals constituted a “trained killer squad.” The prosecution emphasized the cruel and diabolical manner in which Sreenivasan murdered. Especially considering the horrifying circumstances of the crime – in front of his family. This, according to the prosecution, categorizes it as one of the “rarest of the rare” crimes deserving the maximum penalty.
Court’s Findings and Convictions
The court, on January 20, 2024 determined that the first eight accused were directly involved in the Ranjith Sreenivasan murder case. Additionally, four individuals (accused number nine to 12) were found guilty of murder for being present at the scene armed with deadly weapons. Their intention was to prevent Sreenivasan from escaping and to stop anyone from entering the house after hearing his cries. The court accepted the prosecution’s argument that they were also responsible for the common offense of murder under IPC Section 149. IPC Section 149 holds every member of an unlawful assembly guilty of an offense committed in pursuit of a common object.
Three others (accused number 13 to 15) who were involved in planning the conspiracy to murder Sreenivasan were also convicted of murder, as per the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP).
Name of the accused who murdered Ranjith Sreenivasan are:-
All the murderer of the Ranjit Sreenivasan are from Alappuzha.
- Naisam from Komalapuram
- Ajmal from Mannanchery
- Anoop from Alappuzha West
- Mohammed Aslam from Aryad Thekku
- Abdul Kalam (Salam) from Mannanachery
- Abdul Kalam from Adivaram
- Safaruddin from Alappuzha West
- Manshad from Mannanchery
- Jaseeb Raja from Alappuzha West
- Navaz from Mullakkal
- Sameer from Komalapuram
- Naseer from Mannanchery North
- Zakir Hussain from Mannanchery
- Shaji (Poovathil Shaji) from Thekkeveliyil
- Shernaz Ashraf from Mullakkal
Context of SDPI Leader’s Murder
The shocking incident took place just hours after SDPI leader KS Shan was killed by a gang on the night of December 18, 2021, as he was returning home in Alappuzha.
Implications and Significance
The court’s decision to impose the death penalty on 15 individuals sends a strong message regarding the severity of the crime and the need for justice. This case underscores the grave consequences of political violence and the impact it has on individuals and their families. The legal process, in this instance, serves as a reminder of the commitment to ensuring accountability for such heinous acts, promoting justice and the rule of law.
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