Chennithala requests a report on the parole of those convicted of Periya’s murder

Following protests by the family members of Sharath Lal and Kripesh, victims of the Periye twin murder case, against the parole of the convicts in the case, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala sought an urgent report on the matter.

The Home Minister directed Additional Principal Secretary, Home Ministry B. Vishwanath Sinha to immediately investigate the circumstances under which the accused was granted parole and submit a detailed report at the earliest. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the report.

The parole order was issued during the final phase of the previous Left Democratic Front government’s tenure. Prison authorities clarified that although the parole order was issued earlier, prisoners are generally not allowed to leave during the election period. According to officials, the order was implemented immediately after the election.

Currently, five convicts, including the first accused, have been granted parole in the case related to the murder of two Youth Congress workers who were hacked at Kaliyod in Periye, Kasaragod on February 17, 2019.

Those released include former CPI(M) local committee member Periye and first accused A. Peethambaran, fourth accused K. Anilkumar, fifth accused Gijin, seventh accused Ashwin and fifteenth accused A. Surendran alias Vishnu Sura. Peethambaran is on parole for the third time, while the others have been paroled for the second time.

Following the parole order, five convicts were released from Kannur Central Jail on Wednesday. A total of 10 convicts imprisoned in the prison were released on parole for 20 days. The remaining accused – second accused Saji C. George, third accused Rajesh, sixth accused Sreeraj, eighth accused Subeesh and tenth accused Ranjith – are expected to be released in the coming days.

Family members of the victims said they would meet the chief minister and the home minister to lodge a formal complaint against the mass parole of the convicts.

Sharath Lal’s father, Satyanarayan, told the media that the accused should be shifted to a high-security prison and demanded further investigation so that all those involved in the murder plot are brought to justice. He alleged that the parole was granted in haste before the LDF government vacated the office.

Mr. Satyanarayan further alleged that parole was granted in violation of all norms and accused the previous LDF government of supporting criminals.

He pointed out that while the earlier parole conditions prevented the accused from entering the jurisdiction of Bekal police station, there was no such restriction this time.

There were also allegations that a prison advisory committee had recommended parole despite police reports warning of possible tensions if the accused returned to his home area. In view of possible law and order problems, police security has been tightened in Kaliyod.

Published – 21 May 2026 19:51 IST