Eight sentenced to life imprisonment for mentally ill youth's murder in 2010

PALAKKAD: Eight accused were sentenced to life imprisonment for horrifically beating a mentally challenged youth to death in 2010. Vijayan (53), Kunchapan (64), Babu (50), Murugan (44), Muthu (74), Ramanan (45), Muralidharan (40) and Radhakrishnan (61) of Peruvamba were sentenced to life imprisonment by Palakkad 1st Additional Sessions Court Judge Vinayaka Rao.

Under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, the punishment was life imprisonment and a fine of ten thousand rupees each, and an additional four years and ten months of rigorous imprisonment were given for charges like trespassing, and physical torture. If the fine is not paid, those found guilty will have to undergo an additional year of imprisonment.

The incident took place on the night of February 18, 2010. Peruvamba native Rajendran (34), son of deceased Ponnan of Thottupadam house, was beaten up and killed by an angry mob. Rajendran, a construction worker, had been undergoing treatment for mental illness for nearly seven years. It all started after the mob alleged Rajendran of setting a small hut on fire.

Rajendran fearing torture ran to his house for safety. However, the mob broke into his house to brutally beat up the mentally challenged man. He was later tied to an electric post till 2 am, where he eventually died.