The Neyyattinkara Additional District Court has sentenced seven people who were found guilty for the murder of Vellayani native Rafeeq six years ago to rigorous imprisonment (RI) for life and a fine of ₹1 lakh each.
Judge S. Subhash found the convicted persons – Karakkamandapam natives Ansakeer, Noufal, Arif, Ashar and Ashiq, Malik of Attukal, and Rahman of Nemom – to be guilty under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
While they were also found guilty under other provisions, including Sections 147 (rioting), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) and 341 (wrongful restraint), the first four accused were also charged under Section 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon). A default of the fines would lead to additional imprisonment for one year. The court also ordered that the family of the victim should be provided compensation.
