High Court Reverses Acquittal in DYFI Activist Murder Case

The Kerala High Court overturned a lower court's acquittal of eight IUML workers charged with the 2015 murder of DYFI activist C K Shibin in Kozhikode. Convictions were secured after appeals by the state and Shibin's father. Sentencing is scheduled for October 15.

The Kerala High Court overturned a trial court's decision to acquit eight IUML workers in the murder case of C K Shibin, a DYFI activist, from 2015. This reversal followed appeals from both the state and Shibin's father.

The division bench concluded that the original acquittal by the Kozhikode additional sessions court in 2016 was incorrect. The court immediately directed the police to arrest the newly convicted individuals and ensure their presence in court for the sentencing hearing on October 15.

Shibin, aged 19, was reportedly murdered by an IUML-affiliated armed gang at Vellur near Thooneri on January 22, 2015. The acquittal of all 17 accused in the sessions court had sparked significant controversy and was criticized by the prosecution.