Kamal Ghorui
KASARAGOD: Fresh parole to a convict in Kerala’s Periya double-murder case reignited political outrage, with Congress-headed opposition boycotting the assembly on Monday after the speaker blocked an urgent debate over repeated releases of prisoners.The case involves the 2019 political killing of Youth Congress workers Kripesh and Sarath Lal in Periya, a village in Kasaragod district in northern Kerala. CPM workers were convicted and handed double life terms by a trial court.Tenth accused Ranjith T was granted 15-day parole Monday, barely two-and-a-half months after similar relief earlier. Prime convict A Peethambaran and another convict, Gijin, are also out on parole, drawing sharp criticism and scrutiny of prison rules. Kannur jail authorities said parole followed jail rules. In Sept 2025, three CPM workers were given 30 days’ parole.Tension spilled into the assembly. RMP MLA K K Rema sought an adjournment motion alleging procedures were violated in granting parole to CPM workers. Speaker AN Shamseer rejected the motion.Opposition members shouted slogans, accusing the speaker of shielding LDF govt. Opposition leader VD Satheesan of Congress questioned the rejection and cited VK Nishad, sentenced to 20 years for a bomb attack on police, who was granted parole within a month of conviction. As protests continued, UDF legislators walked out for the day.
