Kerala court finds 3 guilty in Mysuru healer’s murder

Three convicted in the murder of Shaba Sharif, a traditional healer, in Kerala; lack of body prompts reliance on DNA evidence.

The Additional District and Sessions Court-I, Manjeri, in Malappuram distroct of Kerala on Thursday convicted three persons in the murder of Shaba Sharif, a 60-year-old traditional healer from Rajiv Nagar, Mysuru.

Judge Thushar M. delivered a guilty verdict against Shaibin Ashraf, 37, and his accomplices Shihabudheen P., 36, and Nishad Naduthodika, 32, for homicide not amounting to murder, conspiracy and destruction of evidence. The sentencing is scheduled for Saturday (March 22).

This case stood out due to the lack of the victim’s body or remains, prompting the police to rely on scientific evidence, including DNA confirmation, to build their case and secure a conviction.

However, the prosecution was unable to prove murder, in spite of the victim having been tortured for over a year and his body dismembered and disposed of in a river.

The court acquitted nine of the accused. The seventh accused, Noushad, cooperated with the investigation by turning approver and providing crucial video evidence showing the victim being tortured.

Shaba Sharif was kidnapped by Shaibin Ashraf and his associates on August 2, 2019. He was held captive and tortured at Shaibin’s house at Mukkatta, Nilambur, for over a year, as they attempted to extract from him a drug formula for piles treatment. Despite the ordeal, Shaba Sharif refused to divulge the formula.

Shaba Sharif succumbed to torture on October 20, 2020. The next day, his body was butchered by Shaibin Ashraf and his associates, who then threw the remains into the Chaliyar river from Seethi Haji Bridge at Edavanna near Nilambur.