Four PFI members sentenced to life for 2016 killing of Hindu Munnani leader
A special NIA court in Chennai has sentenced four members of the banned Popular Front of India to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of Hindu Munnani spokesperson C. Sasikumar in Coimbatore. One co-accused was acquitted, and the agency said it was considering an appeal.
A special court for National Investigation Agency cases in Poonamallee, Chennai, has sentenced four members of the banned Popular Front of India to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of Hindu Munnani spokesperson C. Sasikumar. The court convicted Sadam Hussain, Subair, Mubarak and Mohammad Rafiqul Hassan on Friday, September 25.
Each was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined ₹30,000, according to an NIA statement. Sasikumar was hacked to death in Coimbatore on September 22, 2016. The NIA said the killing was intended to create fear among a section of society and provoke communal disruption.
The incident was followed by violence across six districts, including Coimbatore City and Coimbatore Rural, and more than 300 first information reports were registered by state authorities. The case was initially registered at Thudiyalur police station and later investigated by the Tamil Nadu CB-CID. It was transferred to the NIA under an order of the Government of India dated January 22, 2018, after which the agency re-registered the case.
The NIA said its investigation established that the accused, described as active PFI members, had entered into a criminal conspiracy and carried out the killing. The agency filed a chargesheet and two supplementary chargesheets against five accused persons. The trial began in 2019.
The court examined 75 prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses before reaching its decision. The four convicted individuals were found guilty under sections of the Indian Penal Code covering murder, criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity, as well as provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court acquitted one co-accused, Abu, also identified as Syed Abuthagir.
The NIA said it was reviewing the judgment and considering legal options to challenge the acquittal in an appellate court. The agency described the ruling as its first conviction involving PFI operatives since the organisation was officially banned by the Indian government.
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