Attappadi mob lynching case: Another witness turns hostile

PALAKKAD: Another witness in the Attappadi Madhu murder case has turned hostile. Chandran, who is the 11th witness in the case and a relative of Madhu, denied the earlier given statement.

Chandran had earlier said that he saw Madhu being beaten by the accused. This was repeated in the confidential statement. However, Chandran said during interrogation on Thursday that the police had threatened him for the statement. The court also clarified that the witness has turned hostile.

Unnikrishnan, the 10th witness, had turned hostile on Wednesday during the trial. The court was told yesterday that Unnikrishnan's statement that he saw the incident was taken by the police in writing.

The prosecution is of the view that the defection of two key witnesses will seriously affect the case. The hearing of witnesses in the case will continue in the Mannarkad court on Friday.

Madhu's family had alleged that witnesses in the case could have been influenced by the accused with political connections and money. A complaint with the Agali police with evidence that one of the accused had tried to influence the main witness who is also a relative, but no action was taken.

Madhu's family said the accused likely have close links with those in power and would take to the streets to protest if they did not get justice.

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

Madhu, an Adivasi youth, was killed on February 22, 2018 following a mob attack. Madhu was tied up and beaten by locals for allegedly stealing food. Video footage of the incident had also surfaced that day.