The Thiruvananthapuram Additional District and Sessions Court - VI on Wednesday acquitted all four accused in the murder case of Leenamani of Ayiroor, near Varkala.
Judge R. Rekha acquitted the accused, who were charged with murdering 53-year-old Leenamani allegedly over a property dispute after she had approached the court seeking protection from domestic violence.
The victim, who was the wife of Siyad alias Shan of Ayiroor was murdered on July 16, 2023. Her domestic help, Sarasu, was also injured in the incident.
The accused in the case were Siyad’s brothers Shaji, 46, Abdul Ahad, 42, and Muhsin, 52; and Abdul Ahad’s wife Raheena, 34.
According to the prosecution, the accused had allegedly conspired to take possession of property belonging to Leenamani’s husband, who had passed away 18 months prior to the crime. The group was accused of attacking Leenamani at her residence using weapons including an iron rod.
Sarasu, who was injured in the incident, was a key eyewitness in the case. Leenamani later succumbed to her injuries.
The court considered the evidence presented by the prosecution, including the statements of witnesses, medical evidence, circumstantial evidence and evidence relating to the alleged weapons. The defence, however, highlighted contradictions in the witness statements and the absence of crucial evidence.
The court found that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, all four accused were acquitted.
