In court, TP Chandrasekharan murder suspects claim innocence and ask for mercy on behalf of their relatives

At the Kerala High Court on Monday, those found guilty in the murder of TP Chandrasekharan stood with their hands folded, pleading their innocence and disputing the punishment imposed. Throughout the trial, the majority of the prisoners voiced worries about their families’ well-being.

Kodi Suni, a hit gang member, said, “I am in no way related to the case.” After being found guilty of criminal conspiracy, the 12th accused, Geothi Babu, made an appearance online in a wheelchair and begged not to be imprisoned. My kid and wife are receiving therapy for severe medical conditions. In addition, I take care of my brother’s wife and children, who was killed previously.

The accused was also heard in court about the imposition of the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of release for a certain amount of time. It will hear the prisoners’ counsels and the jail administration’s report on Tuesday.

The court was presented with the following accused: 10th accused, K K Krishnan; 11th accused, Manojan alias Trouser Manojan; 18th accused, P V Rafeek alias Vazhappadachi Rafeek; and seventh to seventh accused, Anoop, Manoj Kumar alias Kirmani Manoj, N K Sunil Kumar alias Kodi Suni, Rajeesh Thundikkandi, K K Muhammed Shafi, S Sijith alias Annan Sijith, and K Shinoj, respectively. There was also K C Ramachandran, the eighth accused, who is now on parole.

They were also heard by the court over the punishment issue. It mandated the detention of those in attendance to the district prison in Ernakulam till Tuesday.

Anoop said, “Maximum leniency should be shown; I have a wife and two children,” when the court heard his petition to increase the sentence. According to Kirmani Manoj, his 80-year-old mother lives alone at home. In addition to declaring he was unrelated to the crime, Kodi Suni requested that his sentence be revoked.

Babu Geothi begged to be left out of the punishment. In addition to my son and wife, who are undergoing treatment, I have a daughter who is 20 years old. In this instance, I am innocent,” he continued.

Rajeesh Thundikkandi testified in court that he had a spinal cord damage as a result of the police’s vicious attack on him during the inquiry. According to K K Muhammad Shafi, he has a wife, a two-year-old kid, and elderly parents. “While incarcerated, I finished two classes and signed up for a degree program. When I’m freed from prison, I want to work and provide for my family,” he said.

S Sijith claims that he has a one and a half-year-old daughter kid and a wife. “I have spent the last twelve years in jail, and I fear that my incarceration will endanger them.” Taxi driver P V Rafeek said he had no political ties and no involvement with the issue.

Killers didn’t take TP’s family into account, claims Rema

MLA K K Rema said that Chandrasekharan had a family and that his killers never took it into account. She also mentioned that her husband’s mother sadly died away after Chandrasekharan’s terrible death. The majority of prisoners who begged for HC’s compassion on Monday did so with reference to their family members. “Chandrasekharan was killed in a horrible manner. It was a particularly horrible crime that called for harsh punishment. We hope the court will acknowledge the seriousness of the offense and impose a punishment appropriate to the crime’s severity,” she said.