Full bench of Kerala High Court to hear remission of convicts
The home department did not consider the increasing political violence and the present threat to life and the freedom of ordinary people.
Kochi: A full bench of Kerala High Court would consider a petition seeking a directive to the state government not to release convicts involved in brutal crimes including murder, rape and dacoity without completing their jail term. A division bench referred the matter to the full bench and extended the interim order directing the state against releasing convicts without completing their sentence awarded by the trial court till further order.
A petition filed by P.D. Joseph of Thrissur is pending before it. Information obtained through RTI Act had revealed that the government had planned to give remission to several convicts including CPM killers serving life-term. The list also included the names of Kodi Suni and others in T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case, Muhammed Nisham, jailed for killing guard Chandrabose, and gangster Om Prakash, convicted for Paul George Muthoot murder.
The petitioner argued that Constitution of India guarantees equal protection and security to the life and property of all citizens, but the state government has no sincerity in protecting citizen's rights. He further contended that the decision of the state government to release convicts in political killing would lead to more political goondaism and it will disturb the peaceful life of people. The home department did not consider the increasing political violence and the present threat to life and the freedom of ordinary people. “Only those who are suffering from deadly diseases have a right to be released for medical treatment,” the plea said.