Kasaragod (Kerala) | Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph on Monday alleged that the previous LDF regime had attempted to shield the accused in the 2019 Periya twin murder case and asserted that the UDF government would ensure complete justice to the families of the victims.
Sarath Lal (23) and Kripesh (19), both Youth Congress workers, were waylaid and hacked to death by a group of CPI(M) workers at Periya in Kasaragod district on February 17, 2019.
In January 2025, a CBI court sentenced 10 CPI(M) workers to life imprisonment in the case, while four others, including former CPI(M) MLA K V Kunhiraman, were given five years' imprisonment.
Joseph, who is also KPCC chief, made the remarks after paying floral tributes at the memorial of Sharath Lal and Kripesh at Periya in Kasaragod district.
Referring to the murder case, Joseph alleged that the previous LDF government had tried to protect the accused.
"We know that the LDF government tried to help the accused in this case. When the Congress leadership and the victims' families demanded a CBI probe, the then government spent taxpayers' money to oppose it. The court judgment itself observed that the prosecution acted in a manner favourable to the defence and the investigating agencies functioned accordingly," he claimed.
He alleged that when former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held the Home portfolio, justice was denied to the victims.
"Protection was given to the accused. They received high-level political protection, both inside the jail through parole and outside as well," Joseph alleged.
He said that Kripesh and Sharath Lal are "shocking victims of murder politics".
"The Congress leadership is committed to ensuring every punishment prescribed by law for those who killed these youths. Their families and the local party units are striving for that, and the KPCC and the V D Satheesan government are extending full support," he said.
Asked about allegations that some of the convicts had been granted parole illegally and that one of them had uploaded a provocative video while on parole, Joseph said the Home Department and the Prison Department would examine the matter seriously.
"If there has been any illegality in granting parole, or if any accused violated the conditions of parole during the parole period, the Home Department will conduct a detailed inquiry and take appropriate action," he said.