Agali: Even as the much-delayed trial over the 2018 lynching of tribal youth Madhu is plagued by the absence of government counsel, his family members have claimed threat to life apparently by the accused in the case.
Madhu's sister Sarasu said her family is facing a serious threat as they have been fighting relentlessly to get justice for her brother.
"A few days ago a masked man with an iron rod entered the house as I was feeding my child. On seeing the stranger, I ran out through the rear door," Sarasu said.
“Many people are calling us over the phone and issuing threats. Attempts are being made to buy out the witnesses in the case,” she alleged.
"We came to know that even Rs 2 lakh had been offered to the witnesses," Sarasu claimed.
Meanwhile, the Agali police stated they have not received any complaints regarding the attack bid from Madhu’s family.
CBI probe to be demanded
Meanwhile, the family and Adivasi Action Council are planning to approach the Kerala High Court to seek a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the mob-lynching case. There are reports that the police had committed grave lapses in investigating and pursuing the case. The failure of the accused to hand over digital evidence to the investigating officials has adversely affected the trial.
Moreover, the trial is getting prolonged because of the non-appearance of the public prosecutor. When the case came up for hearing before the SC/ST Special Court, Mannarkkad, the other day, the judge enquired about the public prosecutor.
Madhu was attacked and lynched by a mob on February 22, 2018 alleging that he had stolen food. Even though the police arrested all accused in the case, the public prosecutor was appointed one-and-a-half years after the brutal incident and that too following a complaint filed by Madhu’s mother Mallika.
After the earlier prosecutor relinquished the charge, VT Raghunathan was appointed in his place. He has now written a letter the government to excuse him from the conduct of the case.