The Kerala High Court on Monday (May 25, 2026) acquitted Husain, the first accused in the lynching of Madhu, a mentally challenged tribal youth from Attappady, Kerala, in 2018.

The court, however, rejected the appeals filed by the 12 other accused.

The court was hearing appeals filed by the accused persons seeking acquittal, and also by the State government and by Madhu’s mother, seeking enhanced punishment for the accused.

The accused persons appeared before the High Court on Monday as directed a week ago.

Madhu was killed following allegations that he had stolen rice from a grocery shop in Attappady.