No death sentence for accused in TP Chandrasekharan murder; High Court increases sentence 

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday refused to award death sentences to those convicted in the sensational TP Chandrasekharan murder case. The court awarded life sentences to all twelve accused in the case. The convicts, except the tenth and 12th accused, will be allowed parole only after 20 years. The High Court also increased the fine slapped against the accused.

TP Chandrasekharan was killed on May 4, 2012 at Onchiyam near Vadakara. Chandrasekharan was returning home on his bike when a gang hurled a bomb at him and hacked him to death. The case is that the accused murdered Chandrasekharan as an act of revenge for leaving the CPM and forming a party named RMP.

The trial court sentenced M C Anoop, Kirmani Manoj, Kodi Suni, T K Rajeesh, Muhammad Shafi, Annan Sijith, K Shinoj, K C Ramachandran, Trouser Manoj, P K Kunjananthan and Vaippadachi Rafeeq to life imprisonment and fine, while another accused, Lambu Pradeepan, a native of Kannur, was sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment. Of the 36 accused, 24 including P Mohanan were acquitted.