Deserved punishment will be ensured for killers of Riyas Maulavi, Congress is reason for Kejriwal's arrest, says CM

KOZHIKODE: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government is committed to ensure that the killers of Riyas Maulavi, a madrasa teacher of Kasaragod Pazhaychoori Mosque, get the punishment they deserve. All possibilities of the law will be sought for that and the steps for it have been started, said the chief minister at the press meet in Kozhikode. He also explained the timeline of the case.

Riyas Maulavi, a native of Kodagu in Karnataka was killed on March 21 in 2017. He was hacked to death in his bedroom, adjoining the mosque, after miscreants barged into his room. The case was first investigated by Bekkal coastal circle inspector.

Kasargod police registered the FIR. The case was handed over to the special investigation team on that day itself. The case was later investigated by a team led by Kannur crime branch SP Dr Sreenivasan. The special investigation team arrested the three accused before 96 hours of the incident that happened.

The accused were jailed as trial prisoners for seven years and seven days from the day of their arrest. Though they tried for bail many times, they were not granted it due to government’s strict stand. The investigation team was able to submit the chargesheet on the 85th day.

Advocate Ashokan, senior advocate and one of the best criminal lawyers of Kozhikode bar, was appointed as special prosecutor, as per the written request of Riyas’ wife.

The government had on 15.6.2017 gave permission to add IPC 153A in the chargesheet after the government was convinced that the crime of inciting religious rivalry was committed. The prosecution produced 97 witnesses and 375 documents in the court. 87 circumstantial evidences and 124 higher court orders were produced in the court by the special prosecutor.

The trial proceedings started in 2019. Unfortunately, special prosecutor Ashokan died on May 1 in 2023. Advocate Ashokan's colleague, advocate T Shajith of Kozhikode, was appointed as special public prosecutor following the submission of application by Riyas’ wife.

The investigation team and the prosecution maintained transparency and absolute honesty in the investigation of the case during the trial proceedings. No one had complained at any point. The family of slain Moulavi had mentioned their sincerity and dedication.

The family had specially mentioned the caution and sincerity the government maintained in this case after the verdict was pronounced. There was no negligence or delay in the investigation or conduct of the case.

However, despite so much evidence, scientific test results and testimony, the verdict in the case did not uphold the findings of the prosecution. This has caused a lot of shock in the society. The government is committed to ensure that the killers of Riyaz Maulvi get the punishment they deserve. All possibilities of law will be sought for that. Steps have been started for that.

The practice of killing people as part of religious hatred must be stopped at any cost. The chief minister said that all interventions and measures have been taken from the government's side.

Why was UAPA not imposed?
‘Crime as per IPC 153A was charged against the accused. It is an act that brings before law people trying to create riots by spreading hatred amongst people.
The accused were jailed for seven years and seven days in Kannur Central Jail without getting bail. The high court itself left the plea to impose UAPA to the trial court. The chief minister pointed that it should be examined whether the present criticism is from those supporting the UAPA Act.

Congress is behind Kejriwal's arrest
Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Congress for being behind the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. It was the Congress who levelled allegations against Kejriwal. The chief minister said the reason for ED's intervention was because of the Congress’ move.

‘The India Alliance rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan drew more than it could handle. Congress also needs to learn from this. Congress stands with the BJP while hunting other parties. The Congress filed a case against the liquor policy. That paved the way for the ED to arrive. Welcomes the stand taken by the Congress now. It is a good thing that all senior Congress leaders participated in the rally.

Ashok Chavan's case was raised by Rahul Gandhi himself. It is unacceptable that a very important leader of the Congress leaving the party. One should function keeping in the mind the interests of the country. The BJP is implementing the agenda of the RSS. Secularism can be maintained only by opposing communalism. When the Citizenship Act was implemented in Assam, 19 lakh people lost their citizenship.

Congress's stand in the Lok Sabha elections is ridiculous. Rahul Gandhi is the top leader of the Congress party. Can we say that Rahul is coming to face BJP state president K Surendran. LDF is the main opponent here. Annie Raja has been picturized as a traitor in the Manipur issue. The country had discussed the impropriety of Rahul contesting in Wayanad,’ said the chief minister.