Kozhikode: A special court constituted for the speedy trial of the controversial Marad massacre case on Tuesday awarded double life sentence to two accused here.

Accused number 95, Koyamon, possessed explosives and tried to spread hatred among different religious groups, the court observed while delivering the verdict. Koyamon was accused of making crude bombs. Accused number 148, Nizamudheen, has been proven guilty of murder and riot. He was also accused of conspiring to organise the riot.

Koyamon is fined Rs 1,02,000 and Nizamudheen Rs 56,000. Special prosecutor Adv Anand appeared before the court for the Government of Kerala.

Koyamon escaped to Hyderabad during the trial of the case. He was arrested on January 23, 2011, while hiding at Kozhikode South Beach. Nizamudheen was arrested on October 15, 2010.

On May 3, 2003, nine people were killed in a mob attack at Marad. Eight were Hindus and one was a Muslim. The massacre was the continuation of the Marad riot that happened in January 2002. Five people were killed in the 2002 riots that started with the murder of Kunjikoya near the Marad Juma Masjid on January 2, 2002.

As many as 89 persons out of 148 accused have been sentenced so far in the 2003 case.