Remission move for TP Chandrasekharan murder convicts sparks row

KANNUR/KOZHIKODE/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state prisons department's move to grant special remission to convicts in the sensational T P Chandrasekharan murder case has triggered a political row, with his wife as well as opposition UDF and BJP raising strong criticism against the LDF govt. Prisons department, meanwhile, refuted the charges and clarified the convicts would not be freed.
It was on June 13 that the Kannur central jail superintendent wrote a letter to the city police commissioner seeking a report of 56 prisoners to be released under special remission as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. TP murder convicts --- T K Rajeesh, Muhammad Shafi and Sajith --- were included in the list. Jail authorities began the process, despite a recent high court order mandating a fixed 20-year life term to them without remission.
TP's wife and RMPI functionary K K Rema, MLA, alleged a clear plan behind the move.
She alleged the inclusion of the names in the preliminary list was serious as it overlooked the HC order.
"The jail superintendent has taken a decision despite the HC order. It would not have happened without the knowledge of the chief minister who is handling the home portfolio. So the govt is yet again saying it is with the convicts. We know they have provided all the help. It's being repeated," said Rema, adding that the matter would be fought legally and politically. Rema said she also plans to meet the governor.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan said, with the decision, the LDF govt was posing a challenge to the state.
BJP state president K Surendran said the state govt was challenging the judicial system by deciding to free the convicts.
State Congress president K Sudhakaran, MP, said there was a conspiracy behind the move to release the three convicts.
"The jail superintendent's rare act comes after the model code of conduct is off. No official will take any action against the court order without CPM brass' intervention. There is a connection between widespread bomb making in Kannur and the release of hardened criminals from jails. It must be suspected the move to release these criminals was a part of the instructions given by those who ordered TP's execution to spill the blood of someone else in Kerala, said Sudhakaran.
"When the move made by the govt to release the convicts failed, an attempt is being made to blame the officials and point out technicalities for it. Pinarayi govt is challenging the rule of law. This govt and CPM are taking a favourable stand for those who killed TP. Under the Pinarayi rule, the convicts were given parole for 2,000 days,'' he said.
Apart from this, Pinarayi govt has given all facilities to the convicts who brutally killed TP to carry out mafia activities even inside jail.
The Kerala community is interested to know why the CM owes so much obligation to these accused, he said.
Sudhakaran said KPCC would extend support to Rema in her legal battles.