Remission row apart, no breaches in leave granted to Sherin

AMID allegations of leniency and preferential treatment in recommending a remission of sentence to Sherin, the convict in the 2009 Bhaskara Karanavar murder, the state government's move for her release has sparked controversy.

- VARSHA SOMARAJ @T'Puram

AMID allegations of leniency and preferential treatment in recommending a remission of sentence to Sherin, the convict in the 2009 Bhaskara Karanavar murder, the state government's move for her release has sparked controversy. Questions have been raised over how she became eligible for remission even as other longer-serving prisoners, including those with serious ailments, were not considered.

However, a review of the legality of the ordinary and emergency leaves she availed shows no violations. During her term, Sherin was granted a total of 444 days of leave—345 ordinary and 92 emergency leave. An additional seven days were granted to account for journey.

Prisoners, except those convicted under Pocso, NDPS, rape, and similar serious offenses, can get up to 60 days of ordinary leave a year. However, they can only avail a maximum of 30 days at a stretch. The jail superintendent issues a report to the jail DGP, based on which a prisoner is granted leave.

The law department had also recommended the remission of Sherin's sentence, as the original verdict did not explicitly state that she was to serve a life sentence without the possibility of release.