A court here on Tuesday awarded life imprisonment to 10 people for the honour killing of a 23-year-old Dalit Christian man last year, which had triggered widespread protests across the state.
Principal Sessions Court Judge C Jayachandran convicted the 10 men under various sections of the IPC, including sections 302 (murder) and 364A (kidnapping for ransom), Special Public Prosecutor C S Ajayan told reporters here.
He also imposed a fine of Rs 40,000 each on all the accused, which shall be distributed to three witnesses -- Kevin's father Joseph, spouse Neenu Chacko and relative Aneesh Sebastian who was abducted along with Kevin, he said.
On August 22, the court observed that the murder of Kevin P Joseph, involving his spouse's relatives, was a case of honour killing.
The court said Rs 1 lakh should be given to Aneesh Sebastian, the key witness in the case, while the remaining amount should be equally distributed among Kevin's spouse Neenu and father Joseph.
If the convicts failed to pay the money, their three vehicles confiscated by police during the investigation should be put on sale and the amount be realised, the court said.
Six convicts were awarded an additional term of three years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5,000 each under a section of the IPC.
Besides, they have also been awarded rigorous imprisonment for one year along with a fine of Rs 5,000 under another section of the IPC.
The court which also found some of the 10 men guilty under other relevant sections of the IPC made it clear that the sentences shall run concurrently.
In its judgement, the court said in the instant case, Joseph, Neenu and Aneesh Sebastian are victims of the crime.
"In reckoning 12th witness Neenu Chacko, as a victim, this court does not take into account the fact that there is no legal marriage between herself and deceased Kevin P Joseph," it said.
"That is not a criteria in the present facts and circumstances, to decide the question whether she is a victim. It is only on account of her relationship with Kevin P Joseph that he was exterminated by the accused persons, who are found guilty," the court said.
Expressing satisfaction over the verdict, the special public prosecutor said though it was a rarest of the rare case, the court did not give maximum punishment to the convicts, considering their young age and their history.
Three people, including prime accused Syaanu Chacko, Neenu's brother, were also convicted under IPC Section 120 (b) (Criminal conspiracy).
Syaanu Chacko, Niyasmon, Ishan Isamyil, Riyas Ibrahimkutty, Manu Muraleedharan, Shifin Sajjad, N Nishad, Tittu Jerome, Fazil Sherif, and Shanu Shajahan are the convicts that have been awarded double lifer in the case. Life imprisonment means till the end of life, unless and until the government remits, the prosecutor said.
Earlier, the court had approved the prosecution's argument that racial prejudice was the motive behind the killing of the man. There were 14 accused in the case. Four people, including Neenu's father Chacko, were acquitted for want of evidence.
Hailing the judgement, the victim's family said the convicts deserve the sentences awarded by the court.
Expressing his gratitude to police officers who investigated the case, Kevin's father Joseph said legal battle would continue to ensure punishment to Chacko, who was acquitted by the court.
The death of Kevin, who was abducted along with a relative from Mannanam in the district, had sparked protests in the state.
Kevin's body was found on May 28 last year in a stream in Chaliyakkara in Kollam district.
The couple had married at a registrar's office in Ettumanoor against the wishes of her family.
During the trial which began three months ago, Kevin's family and witnesses had alleged that it was a case of honour killing.
Deposing before the court, Kevin's spouse Neenu had said her father Chacko had objected to her relationship as he belonged to Dalit Christian community.
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