Tantri blackmailing case: Verdict on July 31

The Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court will pronounce the verdict in the sensational Sabarimala tantri blackmailing case on July 31.

Sobha John is the main accused in the case. Sessions Judge E C Harigovindan reserved the verdict after the trial proceedings in the case were over on Monday. During the trial, the court examined 51 witnesses. The accused hatched a conspiracy and threatened the tantri with a gun at the Link Laxman flat here. Five rings, including the ‘navaratna mothiram’, ‘pavitra mothiram’ and ‘indraneelam’, and two gold chains were stolen from him.

The conspirators allegedly took photographs of the tantri and a woman in compromising positions and demanded ` 30 lakh. The episode was Sobha’s brainchild. Bachu Rahman, a criminal, had arranged the goondas, the prosecution submitted. Unlike other robbery cases, there is clear evidence in the tantri case, prosecutor P G Manu said. The Ernakulam Central police had filed a chargesheet against 11 accused- Shobha John of Thiruvananthapuram, Binil Kumar alias Bijil of Vellarada, Anil Kumar of Sasthamangalam, Abdul Rahman alias Bachu Rahman, Ashif, Abdul Sahad, Abdul Sathar, Majeed, Shereef alias Umbu and Asees of Kasargod,and Biji Peter of Guruvayoor.

The offences against the accused are criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, dacoity and destroying the evidence.