Convictions in Muthanga case require scrutiny, says Kerala HC
The Kerala High Court has questioned the trial court's conviction of activist M. Geethanandan and others regarding the 2003 Muthanga land struggle violence. The court noted that the conviction relied too heavily on prima facie evidence rather than conclusive findings.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing legal scrutiny regarding historical land rights protests and the judicial standards required for criminal convictions in India.
The Kerala High Court has orally observed that the trial court ought to have done a thorough scrutiny and conclusive finding, than rely solely on prima facie evidence while convicting social activist M. Geethanandan and three others in the violence in connection with the Muthanga land struggle in 2003.
A Bench of Justice A. Badharudeen was hearing appeals filed by the four convicts, challenging the judgment of the Principal Session’s Court, Kalpetta, in a case pertaining to the alleged attempt to murder a head constable and alleged abduction of a forest range officer. The trial court had awarded five years’ rigorous imprisonment and fine of ₹36,000 fine on the accused.
Terming their conviction as legally unsustainable, the convicts contended that it was based on a finding by the trial court that there was ‘prima facie’ a criminal conspiracy.
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