Muthanga land agitation case: Kerala High Court suspends sentences of M Geethanandan, 3 others

The Kerala High Court on Friday suspended the sentences imposed on activist M Geethanandan and three others convicted in an attempt to murder case arising from the 2003 Muthanga land struggle.

Justice A Badharudeen passed the order on appeals filed by social activist M Geethanandan, Binu, Ramesan and Anilkumar, who were found guilty by a sessions court and sentenced to five years in jail over a violent confrontation between police and adivasi protesters at the Muthanga in 2003

The High Court had earlier observed that the trial court's finding on criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was only prima facie in nature, and not conclusive.

The Muthanga land struggle stemmed from an eviction drive carried out by the Kerala Police at the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary in Wayanad in 2003.

The eviction drive led to a violent confrontation between the police and Adivasi protesters, which escalated into police firing. Five protesters and police constable KV Vinod died in the incident.

A sessions court found them guilty of offences including attempt to murder Senior Civil Police Officer Abdul Salam, kidnapping Forest Range Officer PK Sasidharan, causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapons, wrongful restraint, unlawful assembly and offences against public order.

They were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for five years and payment of fines.

However, they were acquitted of the charge relating to the death of constable Vinod.

The appellants moved the High Court contending that their conviction could not be sustained on the basis of the sessions court finding relating to criminal conspiracy.

The Court has now suspended their sentences and granted them bail subject to conditions.

It has directed each of the four accused to deposit ₹42,000 towards the fine amount and furnish two sureties within one week.

Advocates Madhusoodanan KS, MM Vinod Kumar, PK Rakesh Kumar, KS Mizver appears for the appellants.

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