Close to two decades after the murder of Kannapuram Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activist Rijith, a lower court in Kannur has convicted and sentenced nine RSS-BJP activists to life sentences. Judge Ruby K Jose of the Thalassery Additional Sessions Court, found them guilty on January 4 and passed the verdict on the sentence on January 7.
It was in October 2005 that Rijith, who was then 26-years-old, was brutally attacked and hacked to death by ten persons – VV Sudhakaran, KT Jayesh, KT Ajesh, CP Rejith, PP Ajeendran, IV Anil, PV Srikanth, VV Sreejith, PP Rajesh, and PV Bhaskaran. Ajesh had passed away during the trial. Rijith was going home with four of his friends when the gang attacked him near the panchayat well at Chunda Thachankandiyal temple. The attack was reportedly because of an issue over the opening of an RSS branch in a temple in the area.
After they were found guilty, Rihith’s mother Janaki, speaking to the media, said that she was waiting 19 years for the verdict. “My husband waited 17 years for justice and passed away two years ago. Now, I am witnessing this moment alone,” she said. His sister Sreeja also said that justice has been served.