Sword, bloodstains and DNA traces prove crucial

Kochi: DNA evidence and the dying declaration of Sarathlal (24) proved crucial in finding the accused guilty in the Periya double murder case. The handle of the sword used in the crime broke off and injured one of the accused, providing key evidence that led to their conviction.

The prosecution argued that A3, Suresh KM, told the doctor during medical examination that he injured his finger while attacking the deceased with a sword as the weapon's handle had broken. When he was produced before the magistrate, Suresh repeated his statement. The prosecutor argued that this admission substantiated the direct involvement of the accused and the prosecution's case could be accepted based on this key evidence.

Prosecution said two sets of conspiracy took place on Feb 14, 2019 and Feb 17, the day of the crime. Group B blood, found on the sword used during the crime, matched the DNA of Sarathlal and Kripesh. The bloodstain collected from the chappal of the second accused, Saji George, matched the DNA of Suresh. Also, the DNA collected from the shirt of the third accused matched Sarathlal's DNA. Sarathlal's DNA was extracted from bloodstains collected from the sword's broken handle pieces.

Sarathlal's uncle, Damodaran, was traveling in a jeep when he happened to see Sarathlal, who was bleeding. Damodaran, with the help of others, rushed him to a hospital in that jeep. When he asked who did this, Sarath replied Gijin, Gijin, disclosing the name of the fifth accused.

The court also mentioned that the report filed by CBI and the evidence tendered by prosecution witnesses showed that a few of the accused forcibly rescued the second accused, who was seated in a police jeep. The judgment stated that IPC Section 225 for this offence, incorporated in the supplementary final report filed by CBI, was absent in the initial final report filed by the crime branch.