TP Chandrasekharan murder case: Kerala High Court stays trial against 15 accused

Kochi: Kerala High Court on Monday stayed the trial against 15 accused, including KK Rageesh, MLA and CPI(M) state committee member, in the case relating to the murder of Revolutionary Marxist Party leader TP Chandrasekharan. Justice VK Mohanan issued the order while admitting the plea of the 15 accused.

They had challenged the dismissal of their discharge petitions by Special Additional Sessions Judge, (Marad cases), which is the trial court in the murder case also, and decision to frame charges.

The petitioners complained that they were "roped in" the case without any material. They had not committed any offence as alleged by police.

Chandrasekharan, a former CPI-M leader from Kozhikode district, was murdered at Vallikkad on May 4, 2012.

Evidence which was relied on by the prosecution to prove the charge against them does not in any way attract the ingredients of the offence, they submitted. A mere help or assistance given to a person without any knowledge that he committed a crime is not enough to implicate them as accused, the petitioners contended.

There are 76 accused in the case. Trial is scheduled to begin on February 11. Chandrasekharan, a former CPI-M leader from the party stronghold of Onchiyam in Kozhikode district, was murdered at Vallikkad on May 4, 2012. He was expelled a few years ago after falling out with the CPI-M leadership and later floated RMP.

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