The Irinjalakuda Additional District Sessions Court on Tuesday sentenced two persons to life imprisonment and a fine of ₹1,60,500 for the murder of Shine, a temple oracle, at a family temple in Koorikuzhi, Kaipamangalam, in March 2007.
Judge Vinod Kumar N. found Vijeesh, alias Ganapathi, and Jith, alias Kannan, both residents of Koorikuzhi, guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The verdict includes life imprisonment and ₹1,00,000 fine under IPC 302. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional one year in prison. They have also been sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment and ₹10,000 fine under IPC 143; three years rigorous imprisonment and ₹50,000 fine under IPC 148 and one month imprisonment and ₹500 fine under IPC 341.
The court also ordered that ₹1,00,000 from the total fine be paid as compensation to the victim’s mother.
The murder took place on the night of March 27, 2007. Shine, son of Gangadharan, who was the oracle of Koorikuzhi Kozhiparambil family temple, was resting near the compound wall of the Sree Bhadrakali Hanuman temple at Koorikuzhi when he was attacked by the accused. According to the prosecution, the motive stemmed from Shine’s involvement in an action council that opposed the violent activities of the accused group. It is alleged that Shine also attempted to stop one of the accused from attacking another action council member.
Even as Shine tried to escape into the temple, he was chased down and hacked repeatedly inside the temple. The attackers even used a ceremonial sword placed near the sanctum sanctorum to attack Shine. Shine succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
The initial investigation was conducted by the then Valappad Circle Inspector (CI) M.S. Balasubramanian. It was later taken over by CI C.S. Shahul Hameed, who filed the first chargesheet against five accused. Further investigation by Kodungallur CI K.M. Devassya led to additional charges.
Published – May 20, 2025 10:45 pm IST
