The Supreme Court has suspended the life sentence of Riaz, also known as Johny, while his murder appeal remains pending before the Kerala High Court.
Riaz was convicted of murder and related unlawful-assembly offences. The alleged incident occurred nearly 30 years ago, and he had spent about three years and nine months in custody following conviction.
The Court also considered that his High Court appeal was filed in 2025 and could take substantial time to reach final hearing. It therefore set aside the refusal to suspend sentence and directed his release on conditions fixed by the trial court.
The order does not disturb the conviction. It addresses the fairness of continued incarceration while appellate review remains delayed, treating custody already undergone and the age of the prosecution as decisive interim factors.