Kochi: The families of Kripesh and Sarathlal, the victims of the Periya double murder, are holding on to the hope for justice. "We believe justice will be served," said Amritha, Sarathlal’s sister, with unwavering faith. She hailed the CBI for conducting a thorough investigation, revealing the involvement of senior political leaders in the murder.  

Amritha was present at the scene when Sarathlal, gravely injured, was taken to the hospital. "It was unbearable to see my brother in such a condition," she recalled. 

"I was returning from a wedding reception when I saw someone lying on the roadside. At first, I didn’t recognise him, but when I went closer, I realised it was my brother. He was in such a state, covered in wounds, lying in a pool of blood. I didn't know what to do at that moment. We rushed him to the hospital with the help of family members, but no one could bear to witness what we saw. This happened to us, and we pray no one else ever has to go through something like this. With today’s verdict, such criminal acts must end. No mother, no sister, should ever have to face this kind of fate again,” Amritha added emotionally.  

Sarathlal's mother expressed her deep sorrow, saying, "I hope those responsible for the deaths of Sarathlal and Kripesh will never walk free again. We pray for the maximum punishment, and for justice for my children."  

The sentence for the 14 convicts in the murder of Youth Congress workers Sarathlal and Kripesh in Periya, Kasaragod, is expected on Friday. The CBI Special Court in Ernakulam had previously found 14 accused guilty, while 10 others were acquitted. Among the accused is former MLA K V Kunhiraman.  

After a six-year-long legal battle and nearly 20 months of trial, Kerala is awaiting the long-anticipated sentence for the accused in this double murder case. 

The tragic incident occurred on February 17, 2019, when Sarathlal and Kripesh were brutally killed by the culprits.