Abduction, killing of Mysuru-based healer: Kerala court sentences 3 to varying jail terms
Malappuram (PTI): A Kerala court on Saturday sentenced to varying jail terms, ranging from 5 years to 13 years, the three persons convicted for the abduction of a Mysuru-based traditional healer and his brutal killing at one of the accused's residence at Nilambur here in 2019.
Additional District and Sessions Judge 1 Thushar M sentenced Shaibin Ashraf, the main accused, to a total of 13 years and nine months in prison in connection with the abduction and killing of 60-year-old Shaba Sharif in 2019.
The court sentenced him to eight years under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), three years under section 347 (wrongful confinement), two years under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and nine months under section 201 (destruction of evidence) under the IPC and said the sentences shall run consecutively, public prosecutor E M Krishnan Namboodiri said.
The court sentenced Shihabudheen to two years under section 120B, three years under section 347, three years under section 365 (kidnapping) and nine months under section 201 of the IPC for a total of eight years and nine months as the sentences have to be served consecutively.
The third convict Nishad was sentenced to two years under section 120B, three years under section 347 and nine months under section 201 of the IPC for a total of five years and nine months as the punishments have to be served consecutively, the prosecutor said.
Besides this, the court also imposed a total fine of Rs 3.5 lakh on the three and said that if the amount was recovered from them, it shall be given to the victim's family, according to the prosecutor.
The court had convicted the three of them on March 20.
The court had acquitted nine others who were accused in the case.
After the conviction of the three, the prosecutor in the case had told reporters outside the court that a single hair found in Ashraf's car became instrumental in proving that Sharif was killed and his body disposed of by the accused.
"No body or body parts were found and therefore, it was very challenging to prove the case against the accused," the prosecutor had said and praised the investigation carried out by the police.
He said that through the mitochondrial DNA of Sharif found in the hair, it was possible to prove the crime against the accused.
"We were able to prove his abduction, wrongful confinement and killing," the prosecutor said.
The abduction and homicide case came to light in 2022 during an investigation into a burglary case.
Ashraf, a businessman hailing from Kaipancheri here, had lodged a theft complaint against some of his associates.
The associates had then created a ruckus in front of the Secretariat in the state capital by attempting self immolation, claiming that they were being intimidated by the businessman.
They were arrested and handed over to Malappuram police and during their interrogation, the abduction and killing of the Mysuru-based traditional healer was revealed.
One of the accused also handed over to the police a pendrive containing a video of the victim being held confined in Ashraf's house. Subsequent investigation revealed that Sharif's family had lodged a missing complaint in 2019.
The police, thereafter, found that Sharif, after being abducted, was subjected to brutal torture in captivity for over a year at Ashraf's house for a secret medicinal recipe of the healer to treat piles.
However, Sharif succumbed to the injuries suffered during his torture and his body was cut into pieces and dumped into the river, according to the police.
Ashraf had plans to launch a clinic after getting hold of the medicine formula and reap huge profits. But, he and his associates had a falling out, leading to them stealing some of Ashraf's valuables and cash and him lodging a complaint against them.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
