KASARGOD: The family of slain Kripesh and Sarath Lal, came out against CK Sreedharan, who has taken up the defense of the accused in the Periya double murder case. The family alleged that CK Sreedharan betrayed them by being with them like a family member and then went through all the files. investigate Sreedharan's role in the conspiracy.

Sarath Lal's father Sathyanarayanan said that CK Sreedharan's act was despicable. “He has studied the file from the beginning of the case. At this point where a CBI inquiry is being demanded, everything has turned upside down. He was very interested in a CBI probe. Then we assigned the case to Asif Ali. This is preplanned move and an attempt to sabotage the case.”, said Narayanarayanan.

Kripesh's father Krishnan said that the lawyer had come to the house several times and had taken many case files. He accused him of betraying them. Sathyanarayanan also said that he would approach the Bar Council and the court demanding an inquiry into the conspiracy by CK Sreedharan.

However, CK Sreedharan's response was that he took up the case not as per the instructions of the CPM. He said that the relatives of the accused had handed over the case to him and that he had not examined Periya murder case files.

On February 2, the examination of witnesses in connection with the murder of Youth Congress workers Kripesh and Sarath Lal in Periya will begin in a CBI special court. Prior to this, KPCC former vice-president and senior criminal lawyer CK Sreedharan took over as the defendants. Recently CK Sreedharan had left Congress and joined CPM. 24 persons including former Uduma MLA KV Kunhiraman are accused in the case.

The list of witnesses to be present for the trial has been handed over to the prosecution court. The court was given a list containing dates and names of 54 witnesses. Summons will be sent to them soon. The list of defense witnesses is yet to be provided. On February 17, 2019, Kripesh and Sarath Lal were killed in Kasaragod's Periya. The CBI case is that the accused, including CPM local leader Peethambaran, committed the murder due to political enmity. On a petition filed by the parents of Sarath Lal and Kripesh, the High Court ordered the CBI to conduct further investigation.