Malayalis move appeal court seeking commutation of death sentence

Sharjah: Three Malayalis sentenced to death in a murder case in Sharjah have filed a petition in the Sharjah Appeal Court seeking commutation of their sentences. Kasaragod natives Zakariyya Mandiyanpurayil, Basheer Kundamkadath and Anwar Salithiruthu are awaiting the death penalty in the case of the murder of Kuniyil Manoj, a native of Kozhikode Poyil Kavu, in 2008. Efforts are being made to commute the sentence if the family of the deceased Kuniyil Manoj forgives him.

The court sentenced the three to death in 2011 on the basis that it was found that the fourth accused, Veerendra Kumar, a native of Koyilandy, had premeditatedly killed Manoj, his uncle's son. He was also sentenced to 10 years in prison in the case of attempting to murder Rajeev, a native of Kasaragod, who was Manoj's friend and business partner.

Virendra Kumar, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and his co-accused Fakhruddin Arakkaveetil, who was sentenced to five years, are currently in Sharjah Jail. The sixth accused, Abdul Majeed, escaped to his country. He has also been sentenced to five years. The murder took place in Sharjah, Sharjah, in June 2008. The murder was caused by a personal enmity between relatives Virendra Kumar and Manoj. The court verdict states that the accused committed the murder after accepting four thousand dirhams. Rajeev, who was seriously injured, was undergoing treatment for a long time.

The accused have filed a petition in the Sharjah Appeal Court, including through Salam Pappinissery, CEO of Yab Legal Services in Sharjah, seeking relief from the death penalty. If the relatives of the murdered Manoj are ready to forgive, the accused can be relieved of the death penalty. Salam Pappinissery said that the Sharjah court contacted Manoj's relatives through the Indian Consulate, but since they have not responded yet, the appellate court has postponed the verdict.

The families of the deceased Manoj have been continuously trying to get the three released from the death penalty after receiving forgiveness from his family. Salam Pappinissery said that they are also ready to provide due compensation to Manoj's heirs. The families of the accused have approached the central and state governments, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the Indian Consulate in Dubai, and NORKA.