CPM leaders convicted in the Periya double murder case have been released on bail. Among those released is K.V. Kunhiraman. The party had organized a grand reception for them outside the prison. Kannur District Secretary M.V. Jayarajan, senior leader P. Jayarajan, state committee member Satheesh Chandran, and several party workers were present to welcome them. The four leaders were greeted with garlands soaked in blood as part of the reception.
K.V. Kunhiraman told the media that they were implicated in the case because they were CPM leaders and expressed faith in the judiciary. He added that the charges against them were part of a conspiracy and that the party is convinced of their innocence.
K.V. Kunhiraman and others had approached the division bench against the trial court’s verdict. The division bench stayed the trial court’s sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000 each. The High Court stayed the punishment of Kanhangad Block Panchayat President and CPM Kasaragod District Committee member K. Manikandan (14th accused), former Uduma MLA and District Secretariat member K.V. Kunhiraman (20th accused), Raghavan Veluthatholi (21st accused), and K.V. Bhaskaran (22nd accused).
