A court in Kerala has delivered a verdict of acquittal for all seven individuals who stood accused in the high-profile murder case of ABVP activist Nandu. The ruling came down on Tuesday, bringing an end to an eight-year-long legal battle that had significant political undertones.
The Fatal Incident and Initial Allegations
The case stemmed from a violent incident on the night of February 22, 2016, in Kottarakara, Kollam district. Nandu, whose full name was S. Nandu Krishnan, was a 22-year-old activist affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). According to the prosecution's case, he was brutally attacked by a group of men.
The prosecution had alleged that the accused, who were linked to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and its student outfit, the Campus Front of India (CFI), were responsible for the murder. The charges were framed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to murder and criminal conspiracy.
The Court's Rationale for Acquittal
After a protracted trial, the First Additional Sessions Court in Kollam presided over by Judge V.G. Sreedevi, found the evidence presented by the prosecution to be insufficient to secure a conviction. The court concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.
The seven men who were acquitted are: Shiyas, Shaji, Sajith, Niyas, Shibu, Siraj, and Sajid. They had been facing trial for their alleged roles in the crime that had sparked widespread outrage and political tension in the state.
Political Repercussions and Reactions
The murder of Nandu had immediately escalated into a major political flashpoint in Kerala. The ABVP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had vehemently accused the SDPI and CFI of carrying out a politically motivated killing. The case often featured in political discourse, with allegations and counter-allegations flying between right-wing and minority-based political organizations.
The acquittal verdict is likely to reignite political debates in the state. While the defense and supporters of the acquitted individuals will hail the judgment as a victory of justice, the ABVP and Nandu's family are expected to express deep disappointment. The prosecution's failure to establish a watertight case after eight years raises questions about the initial investigation and the challenges in prosecuting cases of alleged political violence.
The legal journey for this case concludes with this verdict, unless the state decides to appeal the decision in a higher court. For now, the seven accused walk free, their names cleared by the sessions court for lack of conclusive evidence linking them to the crime.
