Thiruvananthapuram, June 18 (BPNS)
The state home department has finally published the list of 33 convicts who will get a premature release. The prisoners are being released as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, a nationwide celebration to commemorate 75 years of Indian Independence. Those who are getting freed include the man – Chandran alias Manichan – who is responsible for the Kalluvathukkal hooch tragedy that claimed the lives of 31 people and the eyesight of another 500 took place in 2000 in Kollam.
According to additional chief secretary TK Jose, those who are getting released were ones who have completed 14 years of sentence without remission.
Out of 33,
19 were from Open Prison and Correctional Home, Cheemeni
six were from Open Prison and Correctional Home, Nettukaltheri
four were from Central Prison and Correctional Home, Thiruvananthapuram and
two each were from Central Prison and Correctional Home, Viyyur, and Kannur
It’s from a list of 184 prisoners that the 33 were sorted out. And the sorting exercise was carried out by a committee comprising of an additional chief secretary (Home and Vigilance) Department as chairman, law secretary, and Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services as members.
“At first, from the list of 184, 67 were found eligible for release. Then it was decided to leave out those who are, involved in the cruelest murder, murdered women and children, committed murder with rape, undergoing treatment for mental illness, and whose relatives are reluctant to receive them. Upon that parameter, 33 were finalized for premature release,” said an official at the home department.
Earlier, the cabinet decision to release the prisoners hit a roadblock after governor Arif Mohammad Khan sought clarifications. Then, the Supreme Court while disposing of a writ petition regarding Manichan’s release in May directed to take a final decision within four weeks.
