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Murder

High Court Acquits Five Former Police Personnel in Udayakumar Custodial Murder Case

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The High Court of Kerala has acquitted five former police personnel, including one who was awarded the death sentence by the trial court, in the Udayakumar custodial murder case that occurred at the Fort Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram in 2005. The court set aside the conviction and sentences of the accused, citing serious lapses in the CBI investigation. The acquittal comes after a lengthy trial and multiple appeals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The High Court acquitted five former police personnel, including former ASI K Jithakumar, former DSP T Ajith Kumar, retired SP E K Sabu, retired ACP T K Haridas, and S V Sreekumar, in the Udayakumar custodial murder case.
  • The court cited serious lapses in the CBI investigation, including filing a final report before a magistrate court in a case already committed to the sessions court, violating the accused's right to a fair trial.
  • The approvers' testimonies were found to be wholly unreliable and could not form the basis of a conviction.
  • The CBI's conduct was deemed tainted and vitiated, including coercing witnesses at gunpoint and submitting a supplementary report before a court lacking jurisdiction.
  • S V Sreekumar, who was awarded the death penalty, died in 2020 during the pendency of the appeal, while another accused, Soman, had died pending trial.
  • The prosecution claimed that P Udayakumar's death resulted from torture in custody, while the accused were granted pardon on the condition of making a full and true disclosure of all facts and circumstances.

Statistics:

  • 2005: The year in which the Udayakumar custodial murder case occurred at the Fort Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram.
  • 5 former police personnel: The number of individuals acquitted by the High Court in the case.
  • 2:15 am: The time at which P Udayakumar was picked up by Jithakumar and Sreekumar.
  • Rs 4,000: The amount of money recovered from P Udayakumar upon his arrest.
  • 28 years: The age of P Udayakumar at the time of his death.
  • 2020: The year in which S V Sreekumar died in captivity.
  • 3: The years for which the other accused were sentenced to imprisonment.
  • 8: The additional police officers named as accused by the CBI.

Sources:

  • The Times of India - Kerala Edition
  • Indian Express - Kerala Edition
  • Indian Law Review

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