Two decades later, 56 accused in constable Vinod murder case acquitted
A court in Wayanad has acquitted 56 of 57 individuals accused in the 2003 murder of police constable K.V. Vinod during the Muthanga land agitation. While the primary suspect died before trial, four others were convicted for the attempted murder of another officer.
Why it matters
The verdict concludes a long-running legal case stemming from a significant historical conflict over indigenous land rights and state intervention.
The Kalpetta Principal Sessions Court, Wayanad, on Friday (July 31, 2026) acquitted 56 of the 57 accused, including tribal leader M. Geethanandan, in the case related to the alleged murder of police constable K.V. Vinod during the Muthanga land agitation in 2003. However, Geethanandan was convicted in an attempt to murder case.
The court observed that it was the second accused, Ashokan, who had committed the murder. However, as he died during the course of the trial, the proceedings against him abated, and he could not be convicted.
The court found four persons guilty of attempting to murder another police officer, Abdul Salam. Besides Geethanandan, Rameshan, Anilkumar and Binu were sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹10,000 each.
The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
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