Attapadi mob lynching case; witness who testified for Madhu turned hostile; family accuses that convicts had close ties with those in power

PALAKKAD: Uniikrishnan, the tenth witness in Attapadi Madhu murder case turned hostile. He informed in the court that the police had forcefully made him write the statement that he saw the incident.

Madhu's family had yesterday alleged that they suspected that the accused had influenced the witnesses in the case. They lodged a complaint with the police, including the evidence that one of the accused had tried to influence a key witness who was also a relative, but no action was taken.

Madhu's family said that they suspect the accused of having close links with those in power and would protest in street if they do not get justice.

At the same time, the family alleges that the government is trying to weaken the case by not paying fees to prosecutors. The fees have not yet been paid to the two government-appointed prosecutors. No fees were paid to previously appointed prosecutors also. So they withdrew from the case.

Madhu, a tribal youth, was killed on February 22, 2018 following a mob attack. He was tied up and beaten by locals for allegedly stealing food. The trial of the case is proceeding on in the Mannarkkad special court.