Kannur: The eight CPM leaders convicted in the 1994 C Sadanandan leg-hacking case surrendered before the Thalassery Sessions Court on Monday after the Supreme Court rejected their plea seeking a reduction in the fine imposed by the High Court. The leaders had been absconding for seven months and surrendered as their warrant expired today. In February 2024, the High Court observed that the seven-year rigorous imprisonment awarded to the convicts was lenient and increased the fine amount from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000.

CPM workers gathered outside the sessions court, shouting slogans and hailing the convicts as they were being taken from the court to Kannur Central Jail.

The incident took place on the night of January 25, 1994. Sadanandan was attacked by the eight CPM workers while returning home after visiting a relative’s house. The assailants hacked off both his legs and hurled homemade bombs to scare onlookers, who refrained from taking Sadanandan to the hospital.

Despite the 1994 attack, Sadanandan remained active in politics and public life. Koothuparamba in Kannur has been the centre of his activities. He contested the Kerala Assembly elections from Koothuparamba in 2016 and 2021 but was unsuccessful. He has also served on the editorial team of the BJP's Kerala mouthpiece 'Janmabhoomi' and previously worked as a school teacher in Thrissur. Currently, he serves as the deputy vice-president of the party in Kerala. President Droupadi Murmu recently nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. The announcement was made through a Gazette notification dated July 12, 2025.