The Additional District and Sessions Fast Track Court I judge K M Muhammedali sentenced 11 accused in the murder of Dominic, of 55, of Pallitheyyil house, Arthunkal, to life term on Thursday. The judgment on the first accused Shabu, 37, of Kattu house, Vattassery Nilayam, Cherthala south panchayat, will be pronounced on Saturday.
Shabu’s brother Shaji, 41, Pradeep, 36, of Kunneliveli house, Sajeevan, 43, of Bhagavathiveettil, Santhosh, 47, of Velikkakthu, Shibu, 49, of Kurishankal, Joseph, 56, of Charamkandathil, Manoj, 32, of Marathunkal, Hormis, 31, of Arisseril, Sunilkumar, 44, of Vattassery Nadumuriyil, Suresh, 32, of Nadumuriyil and Pradeep, 42, of Kodalichira are the 11 accused who have been awarded life term.
The court also slapped a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh on each of the accused, out of which Rs 1 lakh will be given to the next-of-kin of Dominic and Rs 50,000 to the next-of-kin of Dominic’s brother Peter, who was injured in the attack.
All the 11 accused are CPM activists. They were charged under IPC sections 302, 307 and 120 B (for murder, murder attempt and conspiracy). Dominic, an activist of the Theera Sangh, was murdered on November 30, 2000 in an attack by CPM activists which also left his brother Peter injured.
The rift between the CPM and the Theera Sangh, a subsidiary organisation of the Swathanthra Malsyathozhilali Union, had triggered the attack. Additional Public Prosecutor N J Antony appeared for the prosecution.
About 80 documents were produced before the court by the prosecution, apart from 18 pieces of evidence, which included swords.