By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Additional Sessions Court here sentenced 11 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists to double life imprisonment for the murder of Democratic Youth Federation of India activist Vishnu. The court also sentenced one person to 3 years imprisonment in connection with the murder and imposed a fine of Rs 51,000 to each of the culprits.

Santhosh of Kaithamukku; Manoj alias Kakkot Manoj and Biju Kumar , all from Keraladithyapuram; Renjith Kumar of Manacaud; Balu Mahendra of Malapparokonam; Vibin and Satheesh Kumar from Anayara, Bose from Pettah, Sathish from Vattiyoorkavu, Vinod Kumar from Nalanchira and Subhash from Sreekaryam were convicted for the murder of the CPI-M activist.

The court sentenced Sivalal of Karikkakam for a life term. Meanwhile, another culprit Harilal of Keraladityapuram was sentenced to three years imprisonment for helping the accused to go on hiding.

The court acquitted 16th accused Arun Kumar alias Shaiju. The third accused Renjith of Uliyazhthara died during trial. Azam Ani, 14th accused is still absconding.

On December 16, the court had found all the 13 RSS activists guilty for murder and conspiracy. The prosecution has submitted that the RSS activists killed Vishnu because of political vengeance. The organisation had long harboured a grouse against Vishnu and they suspected that he had a hand in attacks on RSS men in the locality since 2001. They also held him responsible for the murder attempt on Thirumala Hari, a “pracharak”.

According to the prosecution, the accused armed with swords, iron rods and other weapons attacked Vishnu and killed him. The prosecution examined as many 77 witnesses, produced 162 exhibits and 65 material objects during the trial.