Accused Kunjananthan has requested for bail in the Kerala high court citing health reasons. The court has asked for an explanation from the government regarding his petition.
Thiruvananthapuram: Thirteenth convict in the TP Chandrasekharan murder case, PK Kunjananthan, who was sentenced to life, has now approached the Kerala high court to freeze his prison time.
Kunjananthan has requested for bail in the high court claiming that he needs expert treatment for his illness. The high court has asked for an explanation from the government regarding Kunjananthan’s petition.
Kunjananthan (72) was convicted on January 22, 2014, and has been housed at the central prison, Kannur, since then. The special additional sessions court in Kozhikode had convicted 12 accused persons, including three CPI(M) leaders, for the crime.
On January 11, he was diagnosed with spondylosis, osteoporosis and anaemia during an examination conducted at Kozhikode medical college hospital.
Later, Kunjananthan was admitted in Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital from January 14. He was taking medicines for joint pain and arthritis.
Earlier, KK Rema (TP Chandrasekharan's wife) had said to media that she would knock the doors of the high court if the state government attempts to acquit Kunjananthan. And she had even approached the high court for his illegal paroles.
Rema, who took over the reins of the party following her husband's death, and other party members such as those from the Congress and the BJP continue to point fingers at Pinarayi Vijayan.
Regarding this incident, the high court had criticised the state government. The court said if the person is unwell then rather than sanctioning paroles, he should be given proper treatment.
The high court issued a notice to Kunjananthan regarding this bail request, and has asked the state government to file a response on the matter within two weeks.
From May 25, 2015, to October 2018, Kunjananthan was granted parole for a whopping 389 days.
Earlier, the UDF government, while in power, had opposed the LDF leaders' demand to acquit Kunjananthan citing his ill health and old age.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.