Madhu lynching case: Kerala High Court acquits first accused

The Kerala High Court on Monday (May 25, 2026) acquitted Husain, the first accused in the 2018 lynching of Madhu, a mentally challenged tribal youth from Attappada, Kerala.

However, the court rejected the appeals filed by the other 12 accused.

The court was hearing appeals filed by the accused persons seeking acquittal as well as by the state government and Madhu’s mother seeking higher punishment for the accused.

The accused persons appeared before the High Court on Monday as directed a week ago.

Madhu was killed after allegedly stealing rice from a grocery store in Attappady.

Published – 25 May 2026 12:35 PM IST