Malappuram, 20 Feb (H.S.): A court in Malappuram has sentenced five men to life imprisonment in connection with the 2016 “moral policing” murder at Mankada that shocked Kerala and sparked widespread debate over vigilante violence.
The Manjeri First Class Additional Sessions Court on Thursday awarded life terms to the first accused, Sharafudheen; second accused, Abdul Gafoor; third accused, Abdul Nasar; fourth accused, Sakeer Hussain; and fifth accused, Mohammed Suhail. The court had earlier found them guilty after examining witness testimonies, forensic evidence and digital records presented during the trial.
The case relates to the brutal killing of 40-year-old Naseer Hussain of Kunnassery, who was assaulted on June 28, 2016, at Koottil in Mankada. According to the prosecution, Naseer was attacked by a group of local men who accused him of engaging in immoral activities. The assault was allegedly carried out in the name of “moral policing,” with the mob taking the law into its own hands.
Investigators revealed that the victim was dragged to a house in the locality and severely beaten. The prosecution argued that the attack was also fuelled by political hostility. Naseer succumbed to his injuries following the assault.
One of the most crucial pieces of evidence in the case was a video recording of the assault. The footage had been captured on the mobile phone of the first accused. Though the video was later deleted, forensic experts were able to retrieve the visuals during examination of the device. The recovered footage played a decisive role in establishing the sequence of events and confirming the involvement of the convicted men.
While delivering the verdict, the court held that the prosecution had successfully proved the charges against the five accused beyond reasonable doubt.
In contrast, the court acquitted three other accused in the case — Chenekkunan Shafeeq, Parambath Mansoor of Mukkilpeedika, and Ambalappally Abdul Nasar — citing lack of sufficient evidence to establish their direct involvement in the crime.
The verdict brings closure to a case that had drawn public attention for highlighting the dangers of vigilantism and mob justice. The life sentences underscore the judiciary’s strong stance against acts of violence carried out under the guise of moral enforcement.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
