Mananthavadi ; The final verdict to murder case of tribal youth Madhu, who died as result of mob-lynching in 2018, will be delivered on Thursday. The trial was conducted in SC- ST Special court in Mananthavadi in Attapadi.
On 23 May, 2018 a few men from Mananthvadi village ganged up against Madhu, a mentally unstable tribal youth, tied and beat him up for what they said was stealing grocery from shop. Madhu mostly kept to himself inside the forest and ventured to the village only on lookout for food ocassionally. When tied and tortured by self-styled cops, Madhu was rescued by police who learned of the incident. However, Madhu died inside police jeep on way to hospital, from injuries he sustained in the attack. The lynching of a poor tribal for having a pack of rice and a couple of basic grocery, outraged communities across the country.
There are 16 accused in the case. The Chargesheet was read to these men on 17 March, 2022. The Prosecution examined witnesses starting April 28, 2022 for up to 2nd of this month. Defense arguments and cross-examination of witnesses began on 30 January this year and ening on 9th this month.
