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Kerala government attacked over decision to release 'notorious' criminals

  • Governor rejected the list pointing out that it violated Supreme Court norms
  • List included name of Muhammed Nisham, a murder convict who had served only one year in prison
Kerala government attacked over decision to release criminals

Kerala government came under fire from the Opposition over including the names of murder convicts in the list of prisoners seeking mass clemency. An RTI document accessed by Asianet News had proved that the list included names of all the 11 convicts of T P Chandrasekharan murder case, Muhammed Nisham, who is serving a life term in infamous Hummer murder case, and Om Prakash, the convict in Kalluvathukkal hooch tragedy.
 

The Governor had rejected the list of 1, 911 prisoners recommended by the Jail Department for remission. He had pointed out that the list violated norms set by Supreme Court.
 

With the new revelation, it has become clear that the state government was trying to free prisoners with political intentions and the list included prisoners who are not eligible for clemency.
 

Read more: Exposed! Pinarayi govt. tried to free TP Murder convicts through backdoor
 

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the state government was trying to free criminals while the law and order situation in the state is already in shambles. Nisham, who was convicted for a life term has served only one year in prison. "It is strange that a government headed by a proletarian government is planning to release criminals like Nisam who has served only one year in prison," Chennithala said. 
 

BJP leader M T Ramesh accused that the LDF government is trying to help criminals. 
 

Also read: Mass clemency: More than half of convicts in Kerala jails likely to be freed
 

When the matter was brought before the Assembly, Chief Minister denied that the list included names of convicts in T P Chandrasekharan murder case.
 

Meanwhile, R Sreelekha, DGP Prisons, said the list was prepared as per norms and there is a confusion between remission and release. The list included names for remission, which does not mean that the prisoner will be released soon. Remission may be for a few days, she said. 

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