The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary E. Manoj at Kathirur filed the charge sheet before the Principal Sessions Court at Thalassery on Saturday.
The charge sheet submitted by CBI Deputy Superintendent of Police Hari Om Prakash listed 19 accused in the case, who are already in remand custody.
Primary motive
The 121-page charge sheet identified political vengeance as the primary motive behind the murder.
According to the charge sheet, the murder was pre-planned. It also identifies the involvement of three area committees of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the conspiracy behind the crime.
The RSS worker had been hacked to death in broad daylight while he was driving his car on September 1. Earlier, the case was investigated by the Crime Branch.
All the accused in the case had been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
First arrest
The first arrest in the case was made on September 11 when prime accused K. Vikraman surrendered in a court here.The charge sheet was filed four days ahead of the expiry of the 180-day deadline for its filing. Testimonies of the witnesses were submitted along with the charge sheet.
Over 60 materials collected as evidence were produced.
The accused listed in the charge sheet are Vikraman, K.V. Jijesh, C. Prakashan, K.V. Prabhakaran, Sujith, Vinod alias Vinu, V.V. Siraj, Thacharath Riju, Kunnummal Sinil, Thacharath Bijesh alias Biju, O. Shibin, K.V. Vijesh, V.V. Georgekutty alias Vijesh, V.V. Nith alias Nijith, P.P. Raheem, A. Krishnan, A. Ramachandran alias Raman, K.H. Manoj, and M.V. Sabith.
Political vengeance cited as primary motive
Involvement of three CPI(M) area committees seen
