KOCHI: The state government told the Kerala High Court that Naxal leader Varghese was a hardcore criminal who tried to attack the police and was shot dead by cops in an encounter in Thirunelli forest.
The Home Department made the submission in an affidavit filed on July 22, 2016, in response to a petition filed by Varghese’s relatives seeking compensation for his murder. The government said Varghese was the leader of a naxal roup that committed several murders and dacoity in Wayanad in the 1970s.
“He was wanted in a murder and dacoity case registered at the Mananthavady police station in February 1970. In the combing operation carried out to trace Varghese, the Central Reserve Police Force also participated. As per records, Varghese was shot dead in an encounter with the police in the forest,” stated the affidavit.
“A CBI investigation was ordered when Ramachandran Nair, who joined the combing operation after retiring from service, revealed he had shot dead Varghese as directed by then Thalassery DySP K Lakshmana and DIG P Vijayan. On October 28, 2010, the CBI Special Court sentenced Lakshmana to life imprisonment and slapped a fine of `10,000.
Vijayan, the third accused, was acquitted giving him the benefit of doubt. Later, Lakshmana was granted remission of sentence by the government,” said the report.
“While seeking CBI investigation, Varghese’s relatives had submitted they did not want compensation. The same relatives are claiming compensation now, which shows the petition was submitted with ulterior motive,” said the affidavit. It also said neither the CBI nor the Special Court could find any reason to deny the fact Varghese was a notorious criminal.