TP murder case accused's appeal; notice to government; case should be heard in detail, says Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has ordered notices to be sent to the state government and the opposing parties, including KK Rama MLA, in the appeal, special permission petition and bail petition filed by the accused against the sentence in the TP Chandrasekaran murder case. A reply must be given within six weeks. The bench comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma observed that it is a case that needs to be heard in detail. It was also directed to produce the case records of Kerala High Court and Marad Special Court. The petitions will be heard again on August 27.

Anoop, Kirmani Manoj, Kodi Suni, TK Rajish, Shafi and Shinoj filed an appeal against the High Court's decision to increase the sentence to double life imprisonment. The accused had asked the High Court to stay the proceedings and grant bail. The accused also stated that they have been in jail for more than 12 years. Former CPM Onchiyam area committee member KK Krishnan and former Kunnothparamba local committee member Jyoti Babu have also appealed against the High Court's sentence of life imprisonment despite the acquittal by the trial court.

Accused Annan Sijith had filed a special permission petition seeking cancellation of life imprisonment for the crime of murder. The High Court had directed that although the accused and CPM leader, PK Kunjananthan, had passed away, the fine of Rs 1 lakh must be collected from his wife VP Shanta. Shanta's special permission petition against this may be considered in the coming days.

No need for Pradeepan to surrender now

The Supreme Court has clarified that the 31st accused in the case, MK Pradeepan alias Lambu, does not have to surrender now. The special court in Marad had sentenced him to three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000 for the crime of trying to hide weapons. Pradeepan's petition will also be heard in detail.