Overview
- The Congress-led Kerala government has launched an urgent inquiry and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has directed Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Bishwanath Sinha to examine the parole approvals and report back quickly.
- Five accused in the 2019 Periya twin murder case, including the first accused A. Peethambaran, were released from Kannur Central Jail on parole, and officials say a total of ten convicts have been granted 20-day parole terms.
- State prison officials reportedly cleared the parole orders during the final phase of the outgoing LDF government and the releases were implemented after the election period ended, while jail authorities note prisoners are ordinarily not allowed to leave during elections.
- Family members of the victims have protested the mass parole, demanded stricter custody and a fresh probe into the approvals, and police have tightened security in Kaliyod ahead of planned complaints to the chief minister and home minister.
- The probe will review prison department procedures, timing and any advisory or police reports and its findings will shape possible administrative or legal action in a politically charged case that arose from the killing of two Youth Congress workers in 2019.