Created issues everywhere; swift action in Kannur jail to give good conduct certificate to Sherin

KANNUR: The release of Sherin, convicted in the Chengannur Bhaskara Karanavar murder case, was expedited through swift interventions at Kannur Jail. The minimum required sentence for life imprisonment is 14 years, which Sherin completed on November 12, 2023. Within just nine months, the release procedures were finalized.

Sherin had previously caused issues at Viyyur and Attakulangara prisons, leading to her transfer to Kannur Jail two years ago.

On August 8, 2023, the Kannur Women’s Prison Advisory Committee recommended her release. This seven-member committee, chaired by the Jail DGP, included government representatives such as Mahila Association leader M.V. Sarala and former CPM MLAs K.K. Lathika and K.S. Saleekha.

Sherin is among the most frequent parole beneficiaries among life-sentenced female prisoners. It is alleged that her influential connections played a role in securing frequent paroles and an early release.

What raised suspicion was that the first-ever application for remission was immediately approved by the advisory committee—an unusual move. In just three months, the committee’s recommendation reached the Home Department and the Cabinet. Typically, such files remain pending for years, but in this case, it was fast-tracked with top priority. At Kannur Jail, Sherin worked in tailoring. Reports indicate that several people, including VIPs, had visited her in jail during her sentence.

Past issues covered up
Sherin had been transferred multiple times between Thiruvananthapuram’s Attakulangara Jail, Neyyattinkara Jail, and Viyyur Jail due to disciplinary issues. As a punitive measure, she was finally moved to Kannur Jail. However, these past issues were concealed, and both the police and prison departments submitted favourable reports supporting her release. Another controversial incident was her transfer to Viyyur Jail in a Scorpio SUV, an unusual privilege for a prisoner.

Favourable reports
1. Police report
2. Social Justice Department’s probation report
3. Good conduct certificate from the jail superintendent

452 days on parole
Sherin began receiving parole just 1.5 years into her sentence, starting in 2010. Even in 2016, when the election code of conduct prohibited parole for prisoners, Sherin was still granted parole. Over the years, she spent a total of 452 days on parole, yet this was not considered by the advisory committee during their decision-making process.