The Additional District and Sessions Court in Manjeri on Friday (November 28) convicted Shafeek Malangadan (56) for the murder of Youth League worker Manaf Palliparamban, which took place 30 years ago at Othaya near Edavanna.
Judge AV Tellus is due to pass sentence on Saturday (November 29). The court found Shafeek, the first accused, guilty under Section 302 of the IPC for murder.
However, the court acquitted shafe’s brother share, 54, Muneb Kour kourtook kourtook, 52, and kabeer aka jabir paynattuthodi, 52, as the prosecution failed to prove their involvement in the crime.
It was around 11:30 am on 13 April 1995 that Manaf was fatally beaten and stabbed at Othaya bazaar in front of local mobs. The accused included PV Anvar, a former MLA, as well as his father PV Shoukathali. But Mr. Shoukathali died before charges were filed.
After the murder, the four key accused fled the country and remained in the Persian Gulf for 25 years. They were brought home to face trial after a long legal battle by Manaf’s family.
Mr Anvar and 20 others in the case were acquitted by the trial court after the main witness turned hostile. The victim’s family pressed charges against Special Public Prosecutor C. Sreedharan Nair, who later became Director General of Prosecutions, for acquitting Mr. Anvar and others. Mr. Nair was accused of colluding with the defense by not taking any action against a hostile witness or investigating other witnesses to convict him.
A review application filed by Manaf’s brother Abdul Razak seeking to overturn the acquittal of Mr Anwar and 20 others is pending in the High Court.
Manaf’s uncle Aboobacker said they would appeal against the acquittal of the other accused, Shareef. Manaf’s siblings Razak, Mansoor and Rajeena said they were glad their 30-year-old legal battle had yielded results.
Published – 28 Nov 2025 21:38 IST
