DYFI activist Rijith’s murder: Nine BJP-RSS workers sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment in Kerala

Nine RSS-BJP activists sentenced to life for DYFI activist murder in Kerala; victim's family disappointed with verdict.

The Thalassery Additional Sessions Court (III) in Kannur, Kerala, sentenced nine Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists to rigorous life imprisonment on Tuesday (January 7, 2025) for the murder of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activist Rijith (26) from Kannapuram. Sessions court judge Ruby K. Jose also imposed a fine of ₹1.10 lakh on the convicted individuals.

Of the 10 accused in the case, the third accused, Ajesh, died in a car accident during the trial. The remaining nine convicted are V.V. Sudhakaran (57) of Vayakodan in Kannapuram, K.T. Jayesh (41) of Kothilathazhe, C.P. Ranjith (44) of Chankulatparambil, P.P. Ajeendran (51) of Puthiapura, I.V. Anilkumar (52) of Illikkavalappul, P.P. Rajesh (46) of Puthiapura, P.V. Srikanth (47) of Vadakeveetil in Kannapuram, his brother V.V. Sreejith (43), and Thekkaveettil P.V. Bhaskaran (67).

Rijith was brutally attacked and hacked to death on October 3, 2005 in a politically motivated assault. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. as he was walking home with his friends Nikesh, Vimal, Vikas, and Sajeevan. A 10-member gang ambushed him near the panchayat well at Chunda Thachankandiyal temple, allegedly over a dispute regarding the opening of an RSS branch at a nearby temple.

The attackers used weapons, including a machete, knife, stick, large knife, and steel pipe. Police later recovered the bloodied weapons and clothing linked to the suspects. The case was filed based on a complaint by K.V. Nikesh, who was with Rijith during the attack.

Reacting to the verdict, Rijith’s mother, Janaki, and sister, Sreeja, expressed disappointment, saying they had hoped for the maximum punishment of the death penalty for all the accused.

“The judgement brings no happiness or satisfaction as I will not get my son back,” Ms. Janaki said. “However, I expected a death penalty for all of them. None of them should be allowed to return to society.” She said no mother should have to endure such loss and urged political parties to refrain from violence and weaponised conflict to settle political disputes.

Ms. Janaki reflected on the long wait for justice, saying, “I waited 19 years. My husband, who waited 17 years for this day, passed away two years ago. Now, I am left to witness this moment alone.”