PALAKKAD: The family of Madhu, an Adivasi youth, lynched by a mob in Attapady, are not happy with the quantum of sentence pronounced. His sister Sarasu said Madhu did not get justice in the sentence pronounced by the Mannarkkad Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The court did not understand what happened, will move the higher court for the sentence being less. The court for adivasis denied justice to us and the delay in trial turned in favor of the accused.

Sarasu said the court did not convict the accused on charge of murder and was not with the plaintiffs. The accused sabotaged the case. Nobody was with us for four years. The accused were able to influence the witnesses in favor of them and said will move the higher court for justice.

The court had yesterday convicted 14 of the 16 accused in the case. Judge K M Ratheesh Kumar charged 13 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Those found guilty are the first accused Hussein (59) of Mecheriyil, Paakulam, Thavalam, second accused Marakkar (41) of Killayil, Mukkali, Kallamala, third accused Shamsudheen (41) of Pothuvachola, Mukkali, Kallamala, fifth accused Radhakrishnan (38), sixth accused Aboobacker, (39) of Pothuvachola, Kallamala, Mukkali, seventh accused Siddique, (46) of Kurrikal house, Padinjarepalla, Mukkali, Kallamala, eighth accused Ubaid, (33) of Thottiyil house, Mukkali, Kallamala, ninth accused Najeeb (41), Viruthiyil, Mukkali, tenth accused Jaijumon (52) of Mannampatta house, Mukkali, Kallamala, 12th accused Sajeev (38) of Puthenpurackal, Kottiyurkunnu, Kallamala, 13th accused Satheesh (43) of Murikada, Mukkali, Kallamala, 14th accused Hareesh (42) of Cheruvil, Mukkali, 15th accused Biju (45) of Cheruvil, Mukkali and 16th accused Muneer (36) of Viruthiyil, Mukkali.

The fourth and the 11th accused Aneesh, 38, of Kunnath, Kakkupadi, Kalkandi and Abdul Kareem, 52, of Cholayil, Mukkali were acquitted as charges against them were less serious. The 16th accused was charged only under minor assault.

The tribal youth Madhu (30), son of Mallan and Malli was beaten to death after he was caught by a group of local people alleging theft on February 22 in 2018. Madhu, who had some mental issues lived in a cave away from his family.