In a groundbreaking ruling, 15 members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) have been handed the death penalty for the brutal killing of local BJP leader Ranjith Sreenivasan in Alappuzha, Kerala. This unprecedented decision marks the first time in the state that such a significant number of convicts have been sentenced to death simultaneously.
The verdict, delivered by Mavelikkara additional sessions judge V G Sreedevi, awaits confirmation from the Kerala High Court. Ranjith Sreenivasan, the state secretary of BJP’s OBC Morcha, met a tragic end on December 19, 2021, when he was mercilessly murdered at his home in front of his wife, mother, and child.
പിഎഫ്ഐ ഭീകരരാൽ ക്രൂരമായി കൊലചെയ്യപ്പെട്ട സ്വർഗ്ഗീയ രൺജിത്ത് ശ്രീനിവാസന് നീതി. കേസിലെ 15 പ്രതികൾക്കും വധശിക്ഷ വിധിച്ച് മാവേലിക്കര അഡീഷണൽ സെഷൻസ് കോടതി. പ്രോസിക്യൂഷനും അന്വേഷണ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥർക്കും അഭിഭാഷകസംഘാംഗങ്ങൾക്കും അഭിനന്ദനങ്ങൾ.. pic.twitter.com/s8argkPNdp
— BJP KERALAM (@BJP4Keralam) January 30, 2024
Kerala BJP shared on social media platform ‘X’: “Good news! The court has given punishment to 15 people who did a bad thing to Ranjith Srinivasan. They hurt him a lot, but now the court has said they will be in big trouble. Thanks to the people who helped with the case.
The convicted individuals, listed in order from 1 to 15, include residents from various localities in Alappuzha such as Komalapuram, Mannanchery, Alappuzha West, Aryad Thekku, Adivaram, and Mullakkal. The accused are identified as Naisam, Ajmal, Anoop, Mohammed Aslam, Abdul Kalam (Salam), Abdul Kalam, Safaruddin, Manshad, Jaseeb Raja, Navaz, Sameer, Naseer, Zakir Hussain, Shaji (Poovathil Shaji), and Shernaz Ashraf.
This landmark decision underscores the gravity of the crime and sends a strong message against political violence. As the legal process unfolds, the eyes of the nation are on the Kerala High Court for the final confirmation of this historic verdict.
Dhairya Saraswat