Mannarcaud : We are happy the accused have been found guilty, said mob-lynching victim Madhu’s sister, Sarasu. We have been able to fight and win from low strata such as ours. We are grateful to the court. Shall continue the battle against acquittal the two accused, she added.
All accused need to be convicted, said Madhu’s mother Alli. We believe all men are guilty. Will go up to Supreme Court against the two acquittals, said Madhu’s mother speaking to the media after the guilty verdict.
The Crime: On 23 May, 2018 a gang of men from Mananthvadi village ganged up against Madhu, a mentally unstable tribal youth. The assailants bound his hands and beat him up for what they said was stealing. Madhu spent most of his time in the forest and ventured to the village only ocassinally on lookout for some food. The brutal lynching of a marginalised tribal over picking a pack of rice and some basic grocery, created shock and outrage across communities.
