Remission list: Petition in Kerala High Court over release

Kochi: A petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court seeking a direction to the state not to release convicts involved in brutal crimes including murder, rape and dacoity from jails. The petition was filed by P.D. Joseph of Thrissur. He also sought a directive to the government to produce the list of convicts who are supposed to be released. He submitted that a RTI information revealed that the government prepared list of CPM men serving life-term for the murder of T.P. Chandrasekharan among those eligible for granting remission of sentence.

The list also included names of Muhammed Nisham who was convicted for murdering a security guard and gang leader Om Prakash, an accused in Paul George Muthoot murder case. He argued that Constitution of India guarantees equal protection and security to life and property of all citizens, but the state government is not sincere in protecting citizen's rights. He further contended that the decision of the state government to release convicts in political killing will lead to more political violence and disturb the peaceful life of people. The home department did not consider the increasing political violence and the present threat to life and the freedom of common man. "Only those who are suffering from deadly deceases has a right to be released for medical treatment," plea said.