Kollam: The Kerala government has cancelled the order to appoint a special public prosecutor (SPP) to conduct trial in the case pertaining to mob lynching of tribal youth Madhu at Chindakki in Attappady, citing inability to afford the expenses.
Ironically, the government’s decision to cancel the order came at a time when it has been engaging senior Supreme Court advocates, who charge hefty fees, in various cases including the solar scandal.
A reply received under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that the current LDF government has spent over Rs 2.59 crore towards fees for availing services of senior counsels to contest as many as five case in the High Court.
Following the reversal of the order, the prosecution in the Madhu murder case will be conducted on behalf of the state by the Special Public Prosecutor attached to the SC/ST Special Court, Mannarkkad.
Since the individual designated as the public prosecutor would be representing the state in various cases of which trials are underway, he would not be able to fully devote himself to the sensational lynching case, experts pointed out.
Minister for Law and Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes A K Balan announced the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor after the mob lynching of Madhu grabbed national attention. Various tribal organisations had also raised this demand. Subsequently an order to this effect was issued by the state cabinet.
In its fresh order, the Home Department stated that decision to appoint a special public prosecutor in the Madhu murder case was withdrawn following the nominated counsel’s refusal to agree on the fee offered to him as per the norms.
However, P Gopinath, who had been named as the SPP, dismissed the Home Department’s claims. According to him, he was only asked to sign the consent letter and there was no mention about the fee.
“As I live in Palakkad, I had requested the government in writing to set up an office in Mannarkkad to pursue the lynching case. What I received next is the order cancelling my appointment,” Gopinath, who had represented the state as SPP in several cases in the past, told Manorama.
Madhu, 27, was beaten to death by a group of people at Kadukumanna hamlet in Attappady, near Palakkad, on February 22 on the allegation of theft of provisions from shops in the locality. Following investigations, the Agali police booked 16 persons in connection with the murder.
The trial in the case is expected to begin at the SC/ST Special Court in Mannarkkad soon.
Read more: Latest Kerala news
