HC upholds conviction,sentence of ex-IGP in Naxal case

They accepted the evidence of first accused in the case,late Ramachandran Nair,a former CRPF constable who ‘confessed’ he had shot Varghese on directions from his superior officers.

The bench also dismissed a revision petition by A Thomas,brother of Varghese,to enhance the punishment awarded to Lakshmana and challenging acquittal of former DGP P Vijayan.

CBI Special court here had on October 28,2010 sentenced Lakshamana to life imprisonment and asked him to pay a fine of Rs 10,000. Vijayan was acquitted giving him the benefit of doubt.

The court had found that Varghese was ‘brutally’ killed by police on Feb 18,1970 in Thirunelli jungles in Wayanad.

The case was reviewed in 1998 when Ramachandran Nair confessed– he had shot the naxal leader on the command of Lakshmana,the then Deputy Superintendent of Police,and Vijayan,then Superintendent of Police. Nair,who passed away in 2006,had said he was making the confession to clear his conscience.