Kerala govt under fire over remission of terms for VIP jailbirds

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An RTI reply from the Kerala jail department on Thursday confirmed that the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government was planning to remit sentences of 1,850 prisoners, including those convicted in high-profile murder cases.

The state government’s decision to slash the jail term of hardened criminals, including Mohammed Nisham- serving a double life term in the Hummer murder case and those convicted for murdering RMP leader TP Chandrasekharan’s, on the 60th state formation day has invited criticisms.

The state’s jail department had submitted a list with the names of 1,850 people for reduced jail term to governor Justice P Sathasivam. Sathasivam, however, returned the list last month without approving it.

Beedi tycoon Nisham’s name on the list has resulted in severe criticism of the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Two years ago, Nisham had assaulted security guard Chandra Bose when he delayed opening the gates of his luxury apartment complex in Thrissur. When the guard tried to escape, Nisham chased him in his Hummer SUV and crushed him against a wall.

“It is strange that a government led by a proletarian party is planning to release hardened criminals like Nisham who has just completed two years in prison. The government has to explain what prompted it to do such a favour to the businessman who is cooling his heels in the prison,” asked Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala.

The jail department’s list also included the names of all 11 convicts in Chandrasekharan murder case. A CPI(M) renegade, Chandrasekharan was murdered near his house in 2012.