Kerala Court Pronounces Death Penalty in Brutal Killing of RSS Member Ranjith Srinivasan
In a landmark verdict, a Kerala court has handed the death penalty to 15 men associated with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) for their involvement in the murder of Ranjith Srinivasan, a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Kerala unit.
Background:
Srinivasan, a prominent figure in the BJP's Kerala unit, fell victim to the heinous crime on December 19, 2021, when he was attacked and killed at his residence in Kerala's Alappuzha district. The assailants, identified as members of the now-proscribed PFI, carried out the gruesome act in the presence of Srinivasan's mother, infant, and wife.
Verdict Details:
Last week, the court found all 15 accused guilty, with eight directly involved in the murder - Nizam, Ajmal, Anoop, Mohammed Aslam, Abdul Salam alias Salam Ponnad, Abdul Salam, Saffaruddin, and Manshad. Four others were convicted for participating in the crime armed with deadly weapons, while three were found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.
The prosecution argued that the convicts constituted a "trained killer squad," emphasizing the cruelty and diabolical nature of Srinivasan's killing as grounds for the "rarest of the rarest" classification.
Legal Proceedings:
During the sentencing phase, lawyers representing the convicts sought leniency, contending that the crime did not qualify as the "rarest of the rare" due to similar incidents occurring in the state. Additionally, they cited the age range of the convicts (between 26 and 52 years old) while pleading for the maximum possible exemption in sentencing.
The death penalty was pronounced by Additional District Judge VG Sreedevi, marking a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for the brutal murder.
Political Reactions:
The BJP's Kerala unit welcomed the court's decision, expressing satisfaction with the verdict. K Surendran, the state unit boss, criticized the ruling party for allegedly supporting the criminals affiliated with the banned organization. He emphasized the judiciary's role in ensuring justice and hailed the court's decision as a triumph of truth.
The verdict comes amidst heightened tensions and concerns over political violence in the region, further highlighting the need for stringent measures against banned extremist groups.
This story is developing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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