What could be the impact, if any, of the life sentence awarded to all the accused in the Aprani Krishnakumar murder case on the gangsters in the city? Well, many feel that the sentence would serve as a lesson to those who intentionally kill their rivals and may also slow down the pace of criminal activities at least in the short run.
“The sentence for the convicts in the Krishnakumar murder case will also be a lesson for those who conspire in carrying out murders. They would at least become cautious in future because they will also be held to be party to the crime,” said a person, who once acted as a link between the criminals and who those who ‘need’ them.
“The verdicts in the Krishnakumar and Shaji murder cases have given a strong warning to the goonda gangs. The notable aspect is that those had conspired in the murder were also punished along with those who committed the murder. The verdict is expected to bring down the crimes related to gang rivalry at least in the short run” said Sabu alias Gundukad Sabu, who in the past was a gangster.
It was on Saturday that the six accused including Om Prakash, Ambalamukku Krishnakumar, Pratheesh alias Kochu Vava and Jamanthi Arun were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Aprani Krishnakumar murder case. On last December, four people who were found guilty in the Kannadi Shaji murder case were awarded life imprisonment. Both the deceased were gangsters who were victims of gang rivalry.
In Krishnakumar murder case, the court ordered that the six prosecution witnesses who turned hostile during the trial would also face trial on charges of perjury. “That verdict will be helpful as it is a warning to those who turn hostile during trial which dampens the spirit of investigators,’’ said Circle Inspector of A Pramod Kumar of control room. “The fact that the criminals like Om Prakash who have political and economic backing also got convicted would be a strong message for those who act on the basis of support from high quarters” said another police officer, on condition of anonymity.
However, a section feel that the punishments would not have much impact on gangsters as it is the youngsters who are mostly ‘used’ in carrying out the crimes.
‘’ Only a few will make a rethink in the light of the punishments. Others, as most of them are youngsters, would not have second thoughts” said Assistant Commissioner, Fort, K S Sureshkumar .
The investigation into another gangland killing in which Saji of Nedumangad was hacked to death allegedly by the rival group in September, is going on.
