Sister Abhaya Murder Case : Kerala High Court Seeks State's Response On Plea Challenging Parole Granted To Convicts

The Kerala High Court on Monday asked the State to file a statement while hearing the petition seeking immediate withdrawal of parole granted to the convicts in the Sister Abhaya murder case. 

The Division Bench of Justices K. Vinod Chandran and Ziyad Rahman A.A while issuing notice, sought the response of the concerned authorities in the matter. During the hearing, it was also pointed out by the State that all persons belonging to the age bracket of the convicts were released on parole.  

The writ petition was filed in the Court challenging the order releasing Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy, who were sentenced to life imprisonment upon being convicted of murdering Sister Abhaya murder case on parole, alleging that such a move was illegal. Advocate Pirappancode Sudheer represented the petitioner.

The petitioner Jomon Puthenpurackal is a Human Rights Activist. After a prolonged investigation, the Special Court had found Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy guilty of murder and sentenced both the accused to life imprisonment among other penalties by an order dated 23rd December 2020.

However, shortly after, on 11th and 12th May 2021 respectively, the said accused were released on parole by the Superintendents concerned in furtherance of the orders issued by the Director-General of Prisons & Correctional Services.

When the same was questioned, the petitioner was allegedly informed that the said order was issued upon the recommendations of the High-Powered Committee and various Government Orders issued based on the directions laid by the Supreme Court in In Re: Contagion of Covid 19 Virus In Prisons. 

The said guidelines were framed to address the issue of over-crowding in prisons amid the pandemic. Accordingly, the Apex Court had directed the setting up of a High Powered Committee. empowered with the discretion to decide which class of prisoners can be released on parole or an interim bail for a period of time it finds appropriate.