Kochi, 25 May (H.S.): In a major development in the Attappadi Madhu lynching case that had shocked Kerala and sparked nationwide outrage, the Kerala High Court on Monday acquitted Hussain, the first accused in the case, while upholding the conviction of the remaining accused. The Division Bench dismissed appeals filed by the other convicted persons seeking to overturn their sentences.

The High Court was hearing appeals submitted by the convicted accused challenging the trial court verdict, along with petitions filed by the Kerala government seeking enhanced punishment. The state government had approached the High Court following demands from Madhu’s family, which had argued that the punishment awarded by the trial court was inadequate considering the gravity of the crime.

Madhu, a 27-year-old tribal youth from Attappadi, was brutally assaulted by a mob on February 22, 2018, after being accused of stealing food items, including rice and groceries. Visuals of Madhu sitting injured with his hands tied and surrounded by members of the mob had gone viral on social media, triggering widespread anger and condemnation across the state and the country.

The case became one of Kerala’s most high-profile incidents of mob violence and led to intense debates on issues relating to tribal rights, social discrimination and the treatment of marginalized communities. Human rights activists and social organisations had repeatedly demanded strict punishment for those responsible.

The trial court had earlier convicted several accused and acquitted some others in the case. With the High Court now acquitting Hussain while maintaining the convictions of the remaining accused, the judgment marks another significant chapter in the legal proceedings surrounding the case.

All the accused were present in court during the hearing. The verdict is expected to trigger fresh legal and public discussions, while the family of Madhu and activists continue to seek complete justice in the case.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman