A statement made by former Idukki district secretary of the CPI(M) M.M. Mani prima facie revealed that he had direct knowledge of the design to murder his 13 political opponents in early 1980s and in the light of his admission about the murder of Balu and three others, it was evident that he still held the information about the plans and designs relating to 10 remaining persons on the list, according to a statement filed by the Special Investigation Team before the Kerala High Court.
The statement said unless a thorough investigation was made with regard to the said plan and the circumstances of his abetment of crimes and the concealment of the evil design as disclosed by Mr. Mani in his controversial speech, it would result in great injustice to the victims.
The statement further said the Thodupuzha police had registered a case for concealment of the plan regarding the remaining 10 political opponents.
Since he had not divulged anything more about the remaining 10 persons on the list, an investigation was highly necessary to find out the manner of abetment and whether the remaining persons were killed or not in pursuance of the design as disclosed by him. Besides, the speech had caused fear and alarm among the people who had listened. These facts attracted offence of cognizable nature punishable under Sections 109 (abetment) and 118 (concealing plan to commit offences) of the IPC.
