Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, MLA, has come out against the State government’s decision to recommend to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to remit the life sentence of Sherin, the prime convict in the Bhaskara Karanavar murder case.
In a letter sent to the Governor, Mr. Chennithala said that Karanavar’s was a cold-blooded murder. “While inside the prison, the convict exhibited her cruelty in many ways. As a result, jail authorities were forced to shift her from jail to jail. The behaviour of the convict confirms that she has not yet reformed,” he said.
Mr. Chennithala said that Sherin had received frequent paroles due to her influence in the government. “Considering the nature of the offences committed and sentences awarded to the convict, it is imperative that she should continue in jail for the rest of the period of 20 years as the convict does not deserve remission of the sentence,” reads the letter.
Mr. Chennithala urged the Governor to exercise the power conferred under Article 161 before approving the decision of the State Cabinet.
‘Dangerous precedent’
The Congress leader noted that the recommendation of the Kannur Women’s Jail Advisory Committee and the subsequent decision of the government to grant remission to Sherin was part of a larger conspiracy and a calculated action plan to release more hardcore criminals and convicts, including those involved in the murder of T.P. Chandrasekharan. “Granting remission, in this case, would set a dangerous precedent, encouraging the government to make similar decisions in the future and increasing the likelihood of the premature release of other hardcore criminals,” Mr. Chennithala said.
Karanavar, 66, a U.S. returnee, was found murdered at his house at Cheriyanad, near Chengannur, on November 8, 2009. In June 2010, the Mavelikara Additional Sessions Fast Track (ad-hoc) Court sentenced Sherin, Karanavar’s daughter-in-law, along with three of her friends — Basith Ali, Nidhin and Shanu Rashid — to life imprisonment. Sherin, the wife of Karanavar’s second son Binu, was awarded three life imprisonments, which were ordered to run concurrently.
Sherin, an orphan, married Binu in 2001. He was reportedly a differently abled person. When Karanavar learned about Sherin’s infidelity, he revoked a property will that had named Binu, Sherin and the couple’s daughter as beneficiaries. The removal of her name from the will, according to the prosecution, led to the murder.
The Cabinet’s move has also drawn strong criticism from Karanavar’s relatives and local residents.
Published – January 31, 2025 07:00 pm IST