MALAPPURAM: The Third Additional Sessions Court in Manjeri has sentenced the 12 accused in the Areekode Kuni twin murder case to double life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 each. The court had earlier found accused number 1 to 11 and accused number 18 guilty. The verdict also stated that the fine should be handed over to the kin of the deceased.

Siblings Abubackar and Azad were killed on June 10, 2012. 21 people were named accused in the case. The prosecution contended that the murders were committed in revenge for the killing of Atiq Rahman in Kuni. There were 364 witnesses, including eyewitnesses, in the case. 273 witnesses were examined. 100 items, including the sword used for the murder, other weapons and mobile phones of the accused, were produced in the court.