MANNARKKAD: The Scheduled Castes and Tribes special court pronounced the quantum of sentence in the case of killing an adivasi youth Madhu in Attapady. 13 accused were sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment. A fine of Rs1 lakh has been imposed on the first accused Hussain and Rs 1.05 lakh for the others. The court sentenced Muneer, the 16th accused, to three months’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 500. He will be freed from the case if he pays a fine of Rs 500 as he had already served the sentence. The accused will be shifted to Tavanur Jail.

The court had yesterday convicted 14 of the 16 accused in the case. Judge K M Ratheesh Kumar charged 13 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Those found guilty are the first accused Hussein (59) of Mecheriyil, Paakulam, Thavalam, second accused Marakkar (41) of Killayil, Mukkali, Kallamala, third accused Shamsudheen (41) of Pothuvachola, Mukkali, Kallamala, fifth accused Radhakrishnan (38), sixth accused Aboobacker, (39) of Pothuvachola, Kallamala, Mukkali, seventh accused Siddique, (46) of Kurrikal house, Padinjarepalla, Mukkali, Kallamala, eighth accused Ubaid, (33) of Thottiyil house, Mukkali, Kallamala, ninth accused Najeeb (41), Viruthiyil, Mukkali, tenth accused Jaijumon (52) of Mannampatta house, Mukkali, Kallamala, 12th accused Sajeev (38) of Puthenpurackal, Kottiyurkunnu, Kallamala, 13th accused Satheesh (43) of Murikada, Mukkali, Kallamala, 14th accused Hareesh (42) of Cheruvil, Mukkali, 15th accused Biju (45) of Cheruvil, Mukkali and 16th accused Muneer (36) of Viruthiyil, Mukkali.The fourth and the 11th accused Aneesh, 38, of Kunnath, Kakkupadi, Kalkandi and Abdul Kareem, 52, of Cholayil, Mukkali were acquitted as charges against them were less serious. The 16th accused was charged only under minor assault.

The tribal youth Madhu (30), son of Mallan and Malli was beaten to death after he was caught by a group of local people alleging theft on February 22 in 2018. Madhu, who had some mental issues lived in a cave away from his family.