Palakkad: In a major relief for the family of slain tribal youth Madhu, a court here annulled the bail granted to 12 accused in the case. Special Court for SC/ST Act pronounced the verdict after the prosecution claimed that the accused tried to influence the witnesses in the case.

Earlier, the witnesses in the murder of the tribal youth in Attapadi turned hostile. Following this, the prosecution produced phone details claiming that the accused had contacted witnesses 63 times during the period. 

The prosecution approached the court demanding cancelling the bail granted to 12 of the 16 accused in the case. The accused had obtained bail in the case in 2018. The court has restricted them from engaging in any activity to influence the witnesses in the case. 

Madhu was allegedly beaten to death by a mob at Attappady on February 22, 2018. He was tied up and beaten by a mob, who caught him from a nearby forest, accusing him of serial thefts.