The case against them was for attempting to kill Mohammed Salih, son-in-law of late Congress leader and former union minister PM Sayeed.
Published Jan 12, 2023 | 6:51 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 12, 2023 | 6:51 PM
Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal. (Creative Commons)
The appeal moved by the Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal, who was convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, will be heard next week, said the Kerala High Court on Thursday, 12 January.
The case against Faizal and others was for attempting to kill Mohammed Salih, the son-in-law of late Congress leader and former Union minister PM Sayeed, during the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.
The prosecution and the complainant-victim have been given time till 17 January by Justice A Badharudeen to file their objections against the plea filed by Faizal through advocate Sasthamangalam Ajithkumar.
Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) Manu S appeared for the Lakshadweep police.
The MP — along with four others, including his brothers — was sentenced to 10 years in jail by the Sessions Court in Kavaratti on Wednesday.
The others convicted in the case are Sayed Mohammad Noorul Ameen and Faizal’s brothers, Mohammad Hussain and Mohammad Basheer Thangal, who were the first, third and fourth accused in the case. The court also fined the convicts ₹1 lakh each.
The convicts were airlifted to Kerala and lodged in Kannur central jail. There were 37 accused in the case.
The verdict has cast a shadow over the political career of Faizal, a leader of the NCP, as he faces disqualification due to the conviction and sentencing in the criminal case.
According to the prosecution, the Lakshadweep MP and 36 others, armed with deadly weapons, committed the offence of rioting and voluntarily caused hurt to Salih after wrongfully confining him and his friend Mohammad Kassim at a place on Androth island.
According to reports, a conflict regarding a shed put up by Faizal resulted in the assault on Salih during the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.
Three accused, including Faizal, chased Salih when he tried to flee the spot, broke into the room of a house where he had taken shelter, and assaulted him with dangerous weapons, including swords, sticks, choppers, iron rods, and rafters.
A severely wounded Salih was evacuated to Ernakulam in Kerala in a chopper for better medical aid, the prosecution said.
(With inputs from PTI)
