'Hunger strike in jail for Biriyani, believer of superstitions'; Officials talk about Govindachamy

KANNUR: Prison officials say that Govindachamy, the convict in the rape and murder of a young woman, has not yet shown any remorse for the crime committed. Govindachamy often loses his temper when his fellow inmates or officials accuse him of the brutal crime. On other occasions, he is a man sporting a happy smile on his face.

The convict was also severely drawn into superstitions and would boast to officials about how he had a mystical protection of a black magician from Tamil Nadu, which he believed would not make anyone kill him.

One time, Govindachamy even went on a hunger strike in prison, demanding biryani every day. He starved for one day but broke his fast as soon as he smelled mutton curry being prepared in the kitchen. Prisoners are given 210 grams of mutton per week.

Govindachamy's brother has been to jail twice to meet him. No other relatives have visited him since. On February 1, 2011, Govindachamy pushed a Shoranur native woman from a moving train near Vallathol Nagar railway station. Govindachamy then jumped off and took her to another track where he raped her. After the crime, he stole the woman's mobile phone and money from her purse and escaped. An hour later, the locals found the woman lying unconscious and took her to Mulagunnathukavu Medical College Hospital. The woman died on the sixth day while undergoing treatment.