The Special Court for SC/ST (PoA) Act, Mannarkkad on Thursday granted bail to all 11 remanded accused in the Madhu lynching case after witness examination. While granting bail, the court ruled that not to speak to Madhu’s family or influence the witnesses.
Earlier, the court had rejected the bail in the context of serious findings including influencing the witnesses. But after the hearing of the witness in the case was completed, bail was granted to the accused.
A witness who had earlier turned hostile, reiterated his original statement during trial on Thursday. Kakki had turned hostile earlier fearing revenge from the accused. He apologised to the trial court and said he stood with his original statement given to the police in favour of the prosecution.
The court directed that all further hearings require the accused to appear in person. The court also ordered that they should not meet Madhu’s mother and sister or influence other family members.
The court also asked them not to leave the country. The court has also instructed not to go and meet the witnesses to be examined or those who have been examined earlier under any circumstances. The court granted bail to the accused subject to mandatory compliance with all bail conditions.
It was on February 22, 2018, that Madhu, 27, from Kadukumanna tribal hamlet, near Mukkali, in Attappady was captured, tied, and beaten up by a group of men on charges of theft. They handed him over to the police, but Madhu died on the way to hospital. The cause of the death was found to be internal injuries that he suffered from the beating.
