2011 bomb attack on RSS-BJP convoy: 10 Kannur CPM workers get jail terms of up to 25 years

Kannur (Kerala): A sessions court in Kannur on Saturday sentenced 10 CPM members to varying jail terms for their involvement in a 2011 attempt to murder RSS and BJP workers. The group was convicted for hurling a bomb at a vehicle carrying the political workers, with the court handing down a maximum term of 25 years to the primary accused.

Taliparamba Additional District and Sessions Judge Prasanth K N delivered the verdict, convicting the group under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Explosives Act. Public Prosecutor U Rameshan explained that the discrepancy in jail time arises from how the sentences are to be served.

Specific sentences and fines

The court singled out the second accused, T V Binu alias Urumban Binu, as the individual who physically threw the explosive. The prosecutor stated, "The court directed that the second accused, T V Binu also known as Urumban Binu, will have to serve the sentences consecutively, as he was the one who threw the bomb, and therefore, he will remain in jail for 25 years," the prosecutor said.

The other nine convicts—including CPM panchayat member P V Baburaj—will serve 10-year terms. Unlike Binu, their punishments will run concurrently. The remaining convicts are M K Pradeepkumar, P P Sathyan, E V Vinod Kumar, Vijayan, K P Suresh, Toby, Janardhanan K V and Sivaprakash. In addition, each of the 10 individuals was ordered to pay a fine of ₹2.6 lakh.

Background of the political violence

The attack occurred on November 27, 2011, near Thimiri College, following escalating tensions over the opening of an RSS branch in the area. The prosecutor noted that a physical clash between the two political factions had taken place just a day prior to the bombing.

According to the prosecution, the vehicle was transporting approximately 30 workers at the time of the ambush. The resulting explosion left nine individuals with serious injuries.
PTI