Move to grant special remission to TP Chandrashekharan murder convicts sparks row

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The decision by the jail department to initiate the process of granting special remission to the convicts of T P Chandrashekharan's murder has sparked a major political controversy in Kerala.

The state government's action, which came amid a High Court order mandating a fixed life term of 20 years without remission, has drawn strong criticism from T P Chandrashekharan's widow, K K Rema, and the opposition Congress-led UDF.

The process began with the Kannur Jail Superintendent in a letter on June 13, requesting a report from the Kannur City Police Commissioner concerning the matter. The letter, citing a 2022 government order and addressed to the Commissioner, proposed special remission for 58 convicts, including T K Rajeesh (fourth accused) K K Muhammed Shafi (fifth accused) and Annan Sijith (sixth accused) involved in the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case. It also called for an expedited investigative report following inquiries with the convicts' relatives, friends, and victims.

T P Chandrasekharan, 52, was brutally murdered by the gang near Onchiyam on the night of May 4, 2012, as he was riding home on his motorcycle. His body bore 51 hack wounds, and his face was entirely disfigured by the attackers.

Chandrasekharan was a former leader of the CPM who was expelled from the party due to alleged anti-party activities in 2008. Subsequently, he established the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP).

The Kerala High Court in February gave life sentences to all 12 accused in the T P Chandrashkeharan murder case. Of these, nine convicts including Rajeesh, Muhammed Shafi and Annan Sijith were awarded life sentences without remission for 20 years.

The names of T.P. Chandrasekharan murder convicts were included in a list for special remission as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. It has been reported that jail authorities nationwide were instructed to compile a list of convicts eligible for remission. Consequently, many prisoners incarcerated for over ten years were automatically added to this list.

However, as part of Amrit Mahotsav special remission does not extend to prisoners convicted of capital punishment, life imprisonment, rape, terrorism, dowry death, and money laundering.

Notably, the process for the letter resumed following the end of the model code of conduct that was enforced for the Lok Sabha elections. With the letter landing in the public domain, a major controversy broke out in the state.

Jail DGP clarifies, says no special remission for TP murder convicts

The jail authorities have now come out with a clarification that the convicts of the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder will not receive special remission.

Jail DGP Balram Kumar Upadhyaya has clarified that there was no move to grant special remission to TP murder case convicts.

He informed the media that, as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, the names of convicts from various categories have been included in the list for special remission. This list may have been sent informally by the prison authorities. However, these lists undergo thorough police investigation, jail assessment, and probation review. Afterwards, they are meticulously sorted at the headquarters, and any convicts involved in heinous crimes or subject to court orders are excluded. A section of the media has misrepresented this list. I have requested a report from my staff on this matter.

Rema to fight the issue politically and legally

K K Rema, the MLA and widow of TP Chandrasekharan, has condemned the government's decision to release the accused in the TP murder case, which circumvents the High Court's ruling. She stated that the government's action to free the accused constitutes a grave contempt of court. "We will take this matter to court," Rema declared. "I am prepared to battle this case both politically and legally," she affirmed.

Opposition Leader VD Satheesan stated that the government's decision to grant sentence remission to the convicts in the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case poses a challenge to Kerala and will be met with strong opposition.

During a press conference in Kochi, Satheeshan claimed that the accused in the TP murder case received VIP treatment, with over 2000 days of parole and extensive facilities in prison. He suggested that the decision to grant remission is a clear sign that the LDF has not taken heed of the lessons from their significant defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

"What authority do prison officials have to suggest sentence remission for convicts when the High Court has stated they should not receive such clemency?" Satheesan inquired. He declared that the Congress party would challenge this matter both politically and legally.