Life imprisonment for seven RSS-BJP workers for murdering CPI(M) leader at Thalassery in 2008

An Additional District and Sessions Court in Thalassery on Thursday (January 8, 2026) sentenced seven Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers to life imprisonment with rigorous imprisonment for the murder of Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] local secretary and Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU) leader K. Latheesh on December 31, 2008.

The court found accused numbers one to seven guilty and sentenced them to 35 years of imprisonment on four counts. The sentences will run concurrently. Each of them were also imposed a fine of ₹1.40 lakh. The verdict was delivered by Additional District and Session Court (IV) Judge J. Vimal. The verdict was pronounced in the morning while the sentence was delivered at 1 p.m.

The court awarded life sentences to P. Sumith (Kuttan), A.K. Prajeesh Babu (Praji), B. Nithin (Nithu), K. Sanal, Srijesh (Kuttan), Sajeesh (Jeeshu) and V. Jayesh, after finding them guilty of the politically motivated killing.

Hacked to death

Latheesh was hacked to death on the Chakyathmukku beach, near Thalassery, after the assailant gang allegedly hurled bombs to create panic.

According to the prosecution, the accused reached the spot armed with deadly weapons, surrounded Lathesh and attacked him. Sumith allegedly struck the first blow with a sword, while Prajeesh used an axe to slash the neck of the victim. As Lathesh fell to the ground, he was further hacked and stabbed on the legs and body by other accused. The attackers hurled bombs to create panic and fled as local residents and fishermen rushed to the spot.

Four others injured

Latheesh’ friend and CPI(M) worker Mohanlal, alias Lalu, sustained serious injuries in the attack, while Santhosh, Suresh and Majeed were injured in the bomb explosion during the incident.

The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Latheesh’s younger brother K Santhosh. Of the 64 witnesses, 30 were examined by the prosecution.

The 8th accused died during the trial. Accused numbers nine to 12 were acquitted due to lack of evidence. The court accepted the prosecution’s argument that the murder was carried out due to political rivalry, alleging that the accused targeted Latheesh for organising CPI(M) activities in an RSS-BJP stronghold.

Latheesh was a secretary of the CPI(M) Thiruvangad local committee and a leader of the CITU fishermen’s union in the area. The prosecution described the killing as a brutal and premeditated political murder.

Special Public Prosecution P.K. Varghese and advocate K. Sathyan appeared for the prosecution.