Kollam: As a court in Kollam pronounced the verdict in the 2018 Renjith Johnson murder case on Tuesday, his parents too were present to hear the judgment.
However, the frail-looking parents – Johnson and Treesa – did not dare go up to the first floor where the courtroom is situated but rather sat by the veranda on the ground floor.
Overcome with the situation and remembering their firstborn, they occasionally broke down. Renjith was the eldest of their two children.
Seven accused in the case have been awarded life imprisonment by the Additional District Sessions Court in Kollam on Tuesday. Rs 2 lakh fine each also has been imposed on them. They were found guilty by the court yesterday.
The convicts will not be entitled to parole during the first 25 years of the life term, the court added while pronouncing the sentence.
One of the accused has been relieved by the court on account of lack of evidence.
Relatives of the accused, including the children of main accused 'Pambu’ Manoj, had also turned up at the court.
Cop threatened
Investigating officer SI V Anilkumar was provided with a gunman for security after he received death threats. The security was provided after the Intelligence wing of the Kerala Police reported that the prisoners, lodged at the Thiruvananthapuram central jail, had plotted to attack the SI.
Certain people who were close to the accused had even taken photos of the SI's vehicle.
The accused have links to goonda gangs in all districts, it was learnt.
History-sheeters
Those pronounced guilty are: Eravipuram native Manoj (Pambu Manoj, 48), Nedungolam native Renjith (Katunni, 32), Poothakkulam Panattuchirayil Baiju (Kaithappuzha Unni, 45), Pranav (Kukku, 26) of Decent Junction near Konathukavu, Vishnu (21) of Decent Junction, Vinesh (44) of Pavithram Nagar at Kilikollur and Vadakkevila native Riyas (34).
The accused are serial offenders and have several cases slapped against them, including murder and drug trafficking.
Second accused Nedungolam native Renjith (Kattunni) has 19 cases against him, including murder. He had been imprisoned as per the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA).
Kaithapuzha Unni, Pranav and Vineesh too have served prison sentence after being slapped with KAAPA charges.
Fourth accused Pranav was sentenced to three years in prison and slapped with Rs 1 lakh fine in a drug case. An appeal has been given in the High Court against the order. Another trial in a case related to smuggling against Pranav is set to begin from Monday.
‘Pambu’ Manoj, Kattunni, Kaithapuzha Unni, Pranav and Vishnu are also accused in a case for trying to kill a biker for allegedly not letting their car through at Nedungolam.
The incident happened four days after Ranjith was murdered.
