Madhu murder: Accused remanded in 14-day judicial custody

Palakkad: All the sixteen people who were arrested in connection with the murder of Madhu, a "mentally unfit" tribal man, have been sent to judicial custody by a court here.

The SC/ST court at Manarkkad on Sunday remanded the accused in judicial custody for 14 days as the prosecution did not seek their custody.

The accused are at present lodged in Palakkad sub-jail.

Meanwhile, Tribal Welfare minister A.K. Balan, who visited the house of Madhu at Chindakki tribal settlement on Sunday, announced that a special public prosecutor would be appointed in the case.

Palakkad district police chief Pratheesh Kumar told reporters that there were ample and solid evidence against the accused to prove the charges of murder slapped on them.

The perpetrators have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal code and the Forest Act, including murder and illegal confinement.

The autopsy report of Madhu has revealed that the victim died of severe internal bleeding.

Madhu, who was attacked by the lynch mob in the forest near Palakkad on Thursday evening, later died at a police station, after suffering severe injuries to his head, ribs and chest.

Following the autopsy, the body was taken to his home near Agali in Palakkad district on Saturday.

Madhu's sister Chandrika has accused the Forest Department officials of failing to do their duty.

State Forest Minister P. Raju told media persons that he will look into the matter raised by Chandrika, and appropriate action would be taken against the offenders.

Madhu was beaten to death after his hands were tied using his dhoti by a group of people who accused him of theft, according to the victim's mother.

The entire episode was filmed on a mobile phone and posted on social media which evoked a huge furore against the savagery that was committed by the group of people.