A trial court in Kerala’s Kasargod acquitted all three Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh workers who were accused in the 2017 Riyas Moulavi murder case.
Mohammad Riyas also known as Riyas Moulavi, a native of Karnataka’s Kodagu district, was a teacher in the Pazhaya Churi Madrasa in Kasaragod when he was hacked to death in the early hours of March 20, 2017.
Three men affiliated with the Hindutva outfit from Kelugudde, Ajesh alias Appu, Nithinkumar and Akhilesh alias Akhil, got acquitted by the District and Sessions Court of Kasargod on Saturday.
The prosecution case is that the accused persons who were strong believers of the Hindutava ideology had strong animosity and hatred towards members of the Muslim community which resulted in the murder.
The accused have been in jail for seven years as they have not been granted bail yet.
The final report was filed by the police against the trio under Sections 449 (house trespass), 302 (murder), 153A (promoting enmity on ground of religion), 295 (defiling place of worship), 201 (destruction of evidence) r/w 34 (common intention) IPC.
Public prosecutor T Shajith said, “There was solid evidence against the accused. The tower location of the accused shows their presence in the area, as well as entering the area of the residence of the victim. In addition to this, there was strong DNA evidence.”
“Victim’s blood stains were found on the dress of the first accused. There were strong DNA and scientific evidences. More than 100 circumstantial evidences were submitted before the court. Without considering all this, the court has acquitted the accused. It is unfortunate and will have dangerous impacts in the society,” he added.
During the trial of the case, the court examined 97 witnesses. 215 documents and 45 pieces of evidence were submitted to the court.
The case was investigated by a team headed by Inspector P.K. Sudhakaran under the supervision of then-Kannur Crime Branch Superintendent Dr. A. Srinivas.
The investigation was completed within 90 days and the charge sheet was submitted to the court. In 2019, the trial of the case started in the District Principal Sessions Court.
“I was hopeful that I will get justice, but….” Riyas Moulavi’s wife said to reporters outside the court.
