Palakkad: A special court here on Saturday quashed the bail of all the twelve accused in the lynching of tribal youth Madhu in Attappady.

The SC/ST(POA) Special Court in Mannarkkad cited the accused of having influenced the witnesses to destroy the case as grounds to cancel the bail.

As many as 13 witnesses had turned hostile since the trial started on June 8.

The court suspended the trial proceedings on August 10 after the prosecution raised a demand for cancellation of bail.

It was on February 22, 2018, that Madhu - a tribal youth from Chindakki hamlet near Mukkali, Attappady - was killed by a group of locals alleging regular theft.

However, the trial could not begin for more than four years for various reasons, including the refusal of the special prosecutors to take up the case.

When Madhu's family protested, the government appointed C Rajendran as special public prosecutor.

However, he was removed and replaced by his deputy Rajesh M Menon when the witnesses started turning hostile.