Sherin’s release politically motivated, reject recommendation, says Chennithala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala has written to the Governor against the cabinet decision to release Sherin, the main accused in the murder case of Bhaskara Karanavar of Cheriyanad in Chengannur and his daughter-in- law.

Chennithala’ letter pointed that releasing Sherin is illegal and sends a wrong message to the society. The cabinet decision to release Sherin, who was not only sentenced to three life terms but also had problems with fellow prisoners and prison officials while in prison, was very fast.

The decision to release Sherin came at a time when the recommendations of the prison advisory committees to release those who have been in prison for more than 25 years were being delayed, citing the fact that she had completed 14 years. Chennithala pointed out that this was due to the influence of higher ups in the cabinet itself. The cabinet decision was taken after considering the recommendation given by the Kannur prison advisory committee in December.

Bhaskara Karanavar, who had returned from the US, was murdered by his daughter-in-law and her three male friends on November 8, 2009. On June 11, 2010, the Mavelikkara Additional and Sessions Court (Fast Track) sentenced the accused to three life terms of rigorous imprisonment. Sherin had been granted parole for about 500 days in the last 14 years. In the meantime, the cabinet recommendation for Sherin's release came in violation of priorities. Chennithala pointed out in the letter that this violated all the norms.

The cabinet recommended Sherin's release to the governor, beating those who had served sentences of up to 20 and 25 years. Chennithala said this was due to the influence of the accused in the higher ups. The family members of Karnavar and the locals have strongly opposed this.

The Kannur Women's Jail Advisory Committee recommended Sherin's release under the guise of a secret relationship between the criminals and political elites. The convicts in the T P Chandrasekharan murder case have received these concessions. Chennithala warned that if the Governor approves such recommendations, it will not only encourage the criminals and challenge the legal system, but it will also provide an opportunity for those sentenced to life in prison in the TP Chandrasekharan case, where 58 people were hacked to death, to be released. In this situation, Chennithala requested in his letter to the Governor that the convict should not be granted a concession under any circumstances and that the file for Sherin's release should not be signed.