Ex-MLA P V Anvar’s Nephew Convicted in 1995 Edavanna Murder Case

Malappuram: The Manjeri court on Friday convicted Malangadan Shafeek, nephew of former MLA P V Anvar, in connection with the 1995 murder of Youth League worker Palliparamban Manaf. Manjeri Additional District and Sessions Judge T V Tellus found Shafeek guilty under IPC Section 302 for murder. The court acquitted the other accused — another nephew of Anvar, Malangadan Sharif, along with Muneeb and Kabir alias Jabir.

Police had charged the accused under IPC Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapons), 447 (criminal trespass), 451 (house trespass), 452 (house trespass after preparation for assault), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (causing hurt with dangerous weapons), 307 (attempt to murder), 302 (murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy). Following the verdict, Shafeek was remanded to judicial custody, and the court directed that he be produced again on Saturday for sentencing.

According to police, the incident took place on April 13, 1995, when Manaf, a Youth League worker affiliated with the Indian Union Muslim League, was allegedly beaten and stabbed to death at Othayi near Edavanna.

Former MLA P V Anvar himself was initially an accused in the case, but he and 21 others were acquitted by the court at an earlier stage. The victim’s family has challenged that earlier acquittal in the Kerala High Court, and the appeal remains pending.

Shafeek, Sharif, Muneeb, and Kabir — who had been absconding for a long period — were arrested after the first phase of the trial had concluded, during which Anvar and several others were acquitted.