Kerala High Court grants parole to Ripper Jayanandhan to attend launch of his book; daughter appears as lawyer

The Kerala High Court recently granted parole to Ripper Jayanandhan, a notorious murderer, who is serving life imprisonment in a high security prison. [Indira v. State of Kerala].Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, who granted Jayanandhan 2-day escort parole to attend an event for the launch of his book, noted that the case was unique for a few reasons. First was the fact that the convict's own daughter, advocate Keerthi Jayanandhan, argued for her father's release on a petition moved by her mother, Jayanandhan's wife. "The result of this judgment is because of the efforts of his daughter and his wife. The daughter loves her father and is anxious to see that her father attends the book release function. Therefore, he should reciprocate by obeying the directions of the court to allow them to continue the legal fight in accordance to law. The legal fight of a daughter to get a release order for her father to attend the function is also to be appreciated, even if, her father is an accused in several cases including five murder cases. Just like a mother, a father is also a hero to every child," the judgment stated..In this regard, Justice Kunhikrishnan quoted the lyrics penned by renowned poet, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri in the movie 'Achaneyanenkkishtam' (it is my father that I love)..The judge also noted that Jayanandhan, who studied only up to the ninth standard, had written the book in the 17 years that he had been in jail. "I am of the considered opinion that the convict is entitled to an encomium because of the way in which he wrote Ext.P3 (the book), especially when he has studied only up to 9th standard", the Court said..True to his monicker, Jayanandhan is accused in about 23 criminal cases, 5 of which are murder cases. He was acquitted in 3 of the murder cases and convicted in 2. He has even escaped from prison twice so far over the course of his 17-year incareceration..Within these 17 years, however, he has been writing short stories and novels, his counsel pointed out to the Court. It is one of these books, 'Pulari Viriyum Munpe' which is set to be released at the Ernakulam Press Club on December 23. According to the petitioner, Jayanandhan wants to donate the proceeds from his book for the welfare of children with special needs. .It was submitted before the Court that Jayanandhan had been granted 2-days escort parole previously so that he could attend his elder daughter's wedding. However, when he applied for parole to attend his book launch, jail authorities refused to grant him the same on the ground that as per the Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services (Management) Rules, 2014, persons who are convicted under Sections 392 to 402 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) are not entitled for ordinary leave and emergency leave. Jayanandhan has been convicted under Section 394 IPC which punishes intentionally causing hurt while committing or attempting robbery..However, the Court observed that the circumstances in this case permits it to step in."A convict in detention for 17 years wrote a book and he wants to participate in his book release function is the situation. In such a situation, I am of the considered opinion that the constitutional court should step in, even if the Rules do not permit such release," the Court said. .Therefore, it granted Jayanandhan escort parole for December 22 and 23."The legal fight of his wife and daughter should be there in the mind of the convict. The result of this Judgment is because of the efforts of his daughter and his wife. The daughter loves her father and is anxious to see that her father attends the book release function. Therefore, he should reciprocate by obeying the directions of the court to allow them to continue the legal fight in accordance to law," the Court added. .[Read Judgment]