Kripesh, Sarath Lal (Illustration), Adv. CK Sreedharan | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kochi: Former KPCC vice president and criminal lawyer CK Sreedharan has been facing flak over his decision to appear for the accused in the Periya twin murder case soon after joining CPM. Victim Sarath Lal’s father Sathyanarayanan accused CK Sreedharan of treachery and said that he is deeply hurt by the news.
Sreedharan had possessed all files regarding the case for nearly a month to study it. Later, he returned it by claiming that there was no scope for the case. Soon the files were handed over to Adv T Asif Ali, said Sathyanarayanan.
“The person who stood by us, attended all rituals of our children, and consoled us is committing a brutal act now. We suspect whether he was involved in the conspiracy of murder. He may do anything for financial gains,” said Sarath Lal’s father.
Meanwhile, Raj Mohan Unnithan MP alleged that Sreedharan helped the state government to interrupt the CBI probe into the case.
"Sreedharan tried to convince the parents of the victims to demand a Crime Branch probe, by citing that the CBI investigation would delay the case. However, CBI took up the probe after Adv Asif Ali appeared for the family of the victims in the case.
Reportedly, Sreedharan appeared before the Ernakulam CBI Court during the hearing of the case on Friday. This is his first political murder case after joining hands with the CPM, a few weeks ago.
He will appear for nine of the accused, including former MLA and district secretariat member KV Kunhiraman, CPM activists K Manikandan, N Balakrishnan, Raghavan Velutholi and A Peethambaran, the prime accused in the case.
There are a total of 24 accused in the murder of Youth Congress activists Sarath Lal (24) and Kripesh (19). As per the case, the two natives of Kalyott were hacked to death on February 17, 2019.
Apart from Adv Sreedharan, three other lawyers will appear for the rest of the accused. The trial is expected to be held from February 2 to March 8, 2023.