Palakkad, 08 April (H.S.):In a significant development in the Attappallam mob lynching case, the sixth accused, who had recently been released on bail, was found dead on Wednesday in an apparent suicide. The deceased has been identified as Vinod Kumar (54), a resident of East Attappallam.

According to police sources, Vinod Kumar was discovered hanging in a plot of land near his residence. He had been granted bail by the Mannarkkad Special Court earlier in connection with the case. His death comes at a crucial juncture, as the investigation team had already approached the Kerala High Court seeking cancellation of his bail. The plea was scheduled to be considered shortly.

Following the incident, the body was shifted to the district hospital for post-mortem examination, and further inquiries are underway to ascertain the circumstances leading to his death.

The case has drawn considerable public attention, particularly after the High Court intervened last month to cancel the bail of eight other accused, citing procedural lapses and concerns raised by the victim’s family. Those accused are currently in judicial custody.

Earlier this week, the Mannarkkad Special SC/ST Court had postponed the hearing on fresh bail applications filed by the accused to April 18. The court also directed that the victim’s wife be present during the proceedings, underscoring the importance of hearing the family’s concerns.

The controversy over bail had intensified after allegations emerged that the trial court granted relief without adequately considering the objections of the victim’s relatives.

The case pertains to the brutal mob lynching of Ram Narayan Bhagal, a native of Jharkhand, who was killed in Attappallam on December 17 last year. A total of nine persons have been named as accused in the case.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman