THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Manichan, the accused in the Kalluvathukkal hooch tragedy, has been released from jail. Manichan who came out from the open prison in Nettukaltheri at 12 noon, went home with his relatives. He refused to talk to the media. He is being released from jail after 21 years. The apex court had the other day ordered to release him immediately without insisting him to pay the fine of Rs 30.45 lakh. This made his release possible. Though the order was issued on Wednesday after cancelling his sentence, he was not released yesterday as the order did not reach the home department.

The state cabinet had recommended the governor to release 33 accused including Manichan as per Supreme Court’s directive on May 20. Although the governor issued an order, his release was stalled as he could not abide the decision of the state government to pay the fine of Rs 30.45 lakh. Following that, his wife moved the Supreme Court. The court said his release could not be denied as he could not pay the fine. A bench led by Justice Anirudh Bose and Justice Vikramnath questioned the government’s failure to avoid the hooch tragedy.

Manichan’s brothers Vinod Kumar and Manikandan were released without charging any fine. This was pointed by his wife’s lawyer Malini Poduval, who filed a plea for his release. The court considered this.