Kochi: In a major verdict, a court today acquitted 12 IUML workers in a case pertaining to the alleged attempt to murder was made on CPM leaders at Ariyil near Kannur. Kannur Additional Sessions Court delivered the verdict on the case. The attack on the vehicle occupied by CPM leaders including P Jayarajan and T V Rajesh at Ariyil in Thaliparamba is believed to have led to the murder of Ariyil Abdul Shukoor.
Soon after this incident, Shukoor was killed at Keezhara in Kannur. The CBI is probing the case pertaining to the murder of Shukoor.
The defence side argued that the purported incident of violence claimed by the CPM at Ariyil was fictitious. They claimed that the case was tailored.
Muslim League leader K M Shaji reacted to the verdict citing that the verdict had added gravity to the alleged conspiracy and public trial and killing of MSF leader Ariyil Shukoor by CPM men on February 20, 2012, the same day the incidents related to the murder attempt case occurred.
The claim of CPM that the attack on CPM leaders at Ariyil led to the Shukoor murder. It was not the motive for the brutal killing of the 22-year-old vibrant MSF leader after the ‘party court’ conducting trial in public by tying up Shukoor for more than an hour and there is larger conspiracy by CPM leaders behind it to target active MSF and IUML workers, Shaji said.
Jajarajan and Rajesh had been slapped with section 118 for concealing design to commit offences punishable with death or life imprisonment by CBI in 2019. The CBI in its chargesheet has also said that both the leaders did not try to prevent the killing of Shukoor despite getting information on the conspiracy.
Jayarajan was then CPM Kannur district secretary and T V Rajesh was MLA from Kallyiasseri.
