KANNUR: Four CPM leaders, including former Uduma MLA K V Kunhiraman, convicted in the Periya double murder case, have been released from jail. The high court had yesterday stayed the execution of their sentence. They could not be released on Wednesday as the documents reached the jail very late. Following this, they were released from jail Thursday morning.
The CPM had arranged a grand reception for them outside the jail. Kannur district secretary M V Jayarajan, senior leader P Jayarajan, state committee member Satheesh Chandran and many activists were there to receive them. The four released from jail were welcomed with red garlands. K V Kunhiraman told media that they were arraigned as they were CPM leaders and that he had faith in the judicial system. He added that there was a conspiracy in implicating them and that the party knows that they are innocent.
A division bench consisting of Justices P B Suresh Kumar and Jobin Sebastian stayed their sentences after considering the plea filed along with the appeal of the accused demanding to cancel the sentence. In cases where there is a delay in settling appeals, it is the normal practice of the apex court to grant bail to those who have been sentenced to a limited term.
Apart from the 20th accused Kunhiraman, 14th accused K Manikandan, 21st accused Raghavan Velutholi and 22nd accused K V Bhaskaran filed the appeal.
A special CBI court had sentenced them to five years in prison and a fine of Rs 10,000 each for the charge of releasing the second accused in the case from police custody. The other 10 accused were awarded double life imprisonment. They were accused for killing youth Congress activists Kripesh and Sarath Lal on February 17 in 2019.