Pinarayi Vijayan
The chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, said on Monday that his government would take all legal measures to bring those responsible for the murder of Mohammed Riyas Moulavi, a Madrassa teacher who was discovered dead inside a Kasaragod mosque seven years ago. At a press conference held here, he declared that the government is making every effort to put an end to the practice of killing people in the name of religious hatred.
The chief minister also dismissed criticism from the opposition leveled at his government regarding the recent exoneration of RSS activists in the high-profile case, asserting that both the prosecution and the police upheld the highest standards of integrity and openness during the investigation and trial.He claimed that even the late Moulavi’s family had made repeated references to their earnestness and commitment to the issue.
“There was no negligence or delay in the investigation or in the conduct of the case,” Vijayan said.
Three RSS activists were acquitted of all charges by a Kasaragod court on Saturday, citing the prosecution’s inability to establish the animosity of accused for the Muslim community. According to Vijayan, there has been shock in society as a result of the case’s ruling, which rejected the prosecution’s conclusions despite all the evidence, scientific findings, and witness testimony.
“The government is committed to ensuring that the killers of Riyas Moulavi get the punishment they deserve. All possibilities of law would be explored for that. Steps have already been initiated in this regard,” the chief minister said.
Accusing the police and the prosecution of handling the case poorly, the opposition party on Sunday sought to know if they were released as part of a “secret agreement” between the RSS and CPI(M) for the Lok Sabha polls.
Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly V D Satheesan and KPCC acting president M M Hassan urged Chief Minister Vijayan, who handles the Home portfolio, to explain the circumstances that led to the acquittal of the RSS activists.
But, the government had stated unequivocally that they would take the case to the High Court against the decision given on Saturday by the Principal Sessions Court in Kasaragod.
On March 20, 2017, Mohammed Riyas Maulavi, 34, a madrassa teacher from Choori near Kasaragod and a muezzin (someone who announces the Islamic call to prayer), was discovered dead in his mosque room. A group that had broken into the grounds of Muhayuddin Juma masjid of Choori is said to have cut his throat.
Judge K K Balakrishnan of Kasaragod Principal Sessions Court acquitted the three Kelugude residents Akhilesh, Nidhin, and Ajesh in the case.
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