Kerala: RTI Reveals Murder Convict Of Left Leader Gets 217 Days Parole In Two Years

A response to an RTI plea has exposed that two leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), who were convicted for the murder of Left rebel leader TP Chandrashekharan, were being granted parole almost every month for the last two years.

51-year-old Chandrashekharan was associated with the CPI (M), but later he left the party and formed a Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP). He was murdered on May 14, 2011.

What Was RTI Plea All About?

A reply to RTI plea has highlighted the existence of political dominance that influences the whole system. It also revealed how political considerations are helping Kerala’s Left Government in bending the rules of law and order.

The plea was filed by Chandrashekharan’s widow, K.K. Reema at the time when the Pinarayi Vijayan Government was planning to commute the life imprisonment sentence of one of the 13 accused in the murder case, CPM leader PK Kunjananthan.

According to the reply, Kunjananthan was granted parole for almost 217 days in two years during his imprisonment period in Kannur’s Central Jail. Notably, he was convicted on January 22, 2014, in the case. As per information provided by the RTI, he was granted parole for as many as 217 days from May 25, 2015, to June 8, 2017, The News Minute reported.

Moreover, KC Ramachandran who is the eighth accused in the case was granted parole for 117 days in a span of three years from June 12, 2014, to May 29, 2017, the RTI revealed.

Kunjananthan and Ramachandran were found guilty under Section 120 (criminal conspiracy) of 302 (murder) of the IPC.

Reema had complained to the DGP on September 22, 2017, regarding the undue privilege allegedly received by Kunjananthan. In her complaint, she said that accused comes home on parole every month for more than 15 days which breaches the prison guidelines and rules.

Chandrashekharan’s Wife’s Stand On The Issue

According to the Times Now News, Chandrashekharan’s wife would move to the court against the Left Government’s decision to reduce Kunjananthan’s life sentence.

“For the complaint I filed with the DGP, the reply I got was that the parole was granted according to the law,” she said to The News Minute.
Taking the issue further, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has slammed the Left in the state by demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.