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Wayanad Court Acquits 56 in 2003 Muthanga Murder, Convicts Four in Attempt Case

Wayanad Court Acquits 56 in 2003 Muthanga Murder, Convicts Four in Attempt Case
Muthanga Verdict: Wayanad Court Acquits 56 In Constable's Murder, Convicts 4 In Attempt-To-Murder Case · freepressjournal.in

A court in Wayanad, Kerala, decided that 56 people, including a tribal leader named M G Geethanandan, were not guilty of killing a police officer named K V Vinod in 2003.

However, the court found four of those people guilty of trying to kill two other officers during the same incident.

They will each spend five years in prison, but the time will overlap so they serve it together.

The court also gave money to the families of the dead officer and the injured officers.

Families of the victim were sad about the acquittals, while the defense said the court considered the accused’s background.

The case had been investigated for more than 16 years by police and the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Key facts

Verdict date
31 July 2026
Court
Wayanad District and Sessions Court
Number of acquitted
56
Number convicted
4
Sentences
5 years rigorous imprisonment (concurrent)
Compensation to Vinod’s family
₹7 lakh
Compensation to Abdul Salam
₹5 lakh
Compensation to Sasidharan
₹2 lakh

Quotes

Defence counsel T. M. Rasheed

Defense attorney for the accused

“We heard the verdict with a numb heart. After waiting for twenty-three and a half years, this is deeply disappointing. This is not just about our family but also about the police force and society.”
freepressjournal.in deccanchronicle.com theprint.in
“"Two persons were killed inside the same shed within minutes of each other and in the presence of hundreds of police personnel and officials. Yet the real culprits could not be identified."”
freepressjournal.in deccanchronicle.com

Sources

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