Unprecedented security over T.P. case verdict

RMP leader hacked to death in May 2012

The Special Additional Sessions Court (Marad cases) at Eranhipalam here trying the murder of Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) leader T.P. Chandrasekharan will pronounce its verdict on Wednesday.

R. Narayana Pisharadi, judge, is expected to pronounce the verdict at 11 a.m. The case relates to a section of Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leaders in Kozhikode and Kannur districts allegedly hatching a conspiracy and hiring a seven-member gang to kill Chandrasekharan, who had walked out of the party and floated a dissident outfit at Onchiyam.

The growing clout of the parallel party in rural areas had reportedly perturbed the CPI (M) leadership. Chandrasekharan was killed at Vallikad at 10.15 p.m. on May 4, 2012.

Unprecedented security has been put in place in the city and in the rural areas of the district. Prohibitory orders have been issued under Section 78 (regulation to prevent violence) and Section 79 (regulation of public assemblies) of the Kerala Police Act for five days.

Input

This follows an input by the special branch warning of violence in the wake of the verdict. Bomb squad officers and sniffer dogs have combed the premises of the court. About 600 police personnel have been deployed for duty.

Metal detectors have been installed at the entrance to the court. Only lawyers associated with the case, presspersons approved by the special branch, and family members of Chandrasekharan will be allowed inside the court hall.

The verdict will decide the fate of CPI (M) leaders P. Mohanan and P.K. Kunhanandan who are among the 11 prime accused still remanded in judicial custody at the district jail. The trial in the case began on February 11, 2013. Initially, the special police team had charge-sheeted 76 people. But the High Court in January stayed the trial proceedings against 15 accused, including K.K. Ragesh, CPI(M) State committee member. Two other accused, T. Rahul and K. Mohammed Sahir, are still at charge. C.H. Ashokan, former Onchiyam area secretary, who was named ninth accused, died.

At present, only 36 accused face trial as the court acquitted 20 of them in September last and discharged two others in December. As many as 52 of the 164 prosecution witnesses turned hostile during the trial. The defence counsel brought in 10 witnesses for deposing.