The glory of the verdict in the Madhu murder case is that it has proved that the court will be there to support the ones who are not seen or heard. Mannarkkad special court Judge KM Ratheesh Kumar found 14 of the 16 accused in the Madhu case guilty despite the change of prosecutors and 24 of the witnesses defecting. It should be considered as a judgment that reaffirms the people's faith in the rule of law. Hussain, the first accused, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of rupees one lakh. 12 others were sentenced to seven years in prison and fined. The 16th accused was sentenced to three months in prison. As he has already served a prison sentence, he will be released after he pays a fine of Rs.500. The fourth accused and the eleventh accused were acquitted.

The face of Madhu, a tribal youth from Attapadi who was tied up for stealing food, will not fade from the mind of Kerala that fast. Madhu's murder was a reminder that Kerala, which prides itself on being at the forefront in terms of culture and literacy, still harbors the savage justice of the mob. This was a rare incident where a destitute tribal youth was made to walk in a procession and was beaten up by the mob, and the assailants filmed it on their mobile phones and spread it across the state. The strong stand of the judge and the arguments of the prosecutor Rajesh M Menon made sure that the case was not getting derailed. There are justice systems to carry out punishments in our country. We must realize that those who take the law into their hands as if these systems do not apply to them and enforce it through brutal attacks, exist not just in North India but in our state as well. This verdict is the biggest warning for such people.

Although the charge sheet was filed on May 2018, the trial began only four years later. At first, there was no judge in the trial court and later there was a delay in the appointment of the Special Public Prosecutor as well. Two public prosecutors who were appointed withdrew from the case without completing their responsibilities. Out of 127 witnesses, 24 defected. Meanwhile, there was the unusual incident where the trial court canceled the bail of the accused who were granted bail by the High Court. It was the stand of Madhu's family, which remained steadfast in the fight, that led to the case moving forward and the culprits being punished. The general society here holds the attitude of seeing the tribals as second-class citizens. There is also a tendency to brand any Adivasi at sight as a thief. This can be changed only through a government-run scheme for the education of tribal children. While pronouncing the verdict the judge said that the mob attacks should end. The government should also consider making laws that ensure maximum punishment for those who commit such murders. Those who take the law into their hands pretending to be the guardians of morality should be met with the iron fist of the law itself.