Queency Jain–
After a petition was filed seeking immediate withdrawal of parole granted to the convicts of the Sister Abhaya murder case, the Kerala High Court has asked the State to file a statement on the same.
A Division bench sought the response of the concerned authorities after the State informed the Court that all the persons belonging to the age brackets of the convicts were released on parole.
The petition comes after Father Thoman Kottoor and Sister Sephy were released on parole, while earlier they were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Sister Abhaya murder case as on order dated on 2 December 2020 by a Special Court.
Also Read: 28-year-old Sister Abhaya murder case: The longest running investigation
The petitioner, Joman Puthenpurackal, who is a Human Rights Activist, alleged the move of parole by the Superintendents, in furtherance of orders of Director General of Prisons & Correctional Services, to be illegal.
The petitioner further submitted that after he questioned the Order, he was informed that the parole was granted after the recommendation of the High-Powered Committee and various government orders based on the direction of the Supreme Court in Re: Contagion of Covid-19 virus in prisons.
Joman was informed that the guidelines were framed to deal with the issue of overcrowding of the prisons during the pandemic and thus the parole was granted at the High Powered Committee’s discretion.
In conclusion, the Kerala High Court directed the State to file a statement of response on the plea challenging the Parole granted to convicts.