Ernakulam: In a major setback to the Kerala unit of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), seventeen Popular Front (PFI) activists accused in the Sreenivasan murder case and the banning of PFI has been granted conditional bail whereas the bail of nine activists’ part of the banned organizations has been rejected.
According to the HC order, the petition moved by Saddam Hussain, Ashraf, Noushad, Karamana Ashraf Moulavi, Ansari Erattupetta, Muhammad Ali, Yahya Koya Thangal, Rauf, and Sathar has been rejected as the charges against them stand prima facie.
The court granted bail to Ali, Abdul Kabeer, Zainuddin, Usman, CT Sulaiman, Sadiq, Shihas, Mujeeb, Mubarak, Nishad, Rasheed, Fiyas, Akbar Ali, Ashraf, Riswan, and Najumuddeen, considering their argument that the trial proceedings would take a long time to complete.
It was on April 16, 2022, that Sreenivasan was hacked to death when a gang on three bikes barged into SKS Autos at Palakkad where Sreenivasan was working. During the initial probe, the police had come to the conclusion that the assailants were the active members of the PFI.
The NIA took over the case from the Kerala Police, which initially investigated the case. The first charge sheet was filed in March 2023, and the second chargesheet was filed on November 2023.
The investigation team found that the attack was launched in retaliation for the murder of Popular Front leader Subair.
On April 16, 2022, Sreenivasan was killed inside his shop in the Melamuri area of Palakkad with sharp weapons. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers were armed with machetes and attacked him several times, inflicting multiple fatal injuries.
He was taken to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Sreenivasan is survived by his wife and a daughter.
In a major setback to the Kerala unit of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), seventeen Popular Front (PFI) activists accused in the Sreenivasan murder case and the banning of PFI has been granted conditional bail whereas the bail of nine activists’ part of the banned organizations has been rejected. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
