Kerala Prison Official Suspended for Controversial Remarks on Convicted Rapist and Murderer Govindachamy
A prison official in Kerala has been suspended following public outcry over his remarks concerning Govindachamy, a convicted rapist and murderer who recently escaped from Kannur Central Jail. The official, identified as Sattar, reportedly expressed a desire for govindachamy’s execution and even volunteered too carry out the sentance himself.
The suspension order cited Sattar’s statements as a violation of Rule 62 of the Kerala Goverment Servants’ Conduct Rules and a directive from the Prisons and Correctional Services Department. Authorities deemed his conduct “condemnable,” stating it damaged the department’s reputation and undermined public confidence in the prison system. The order also referenced prior instances of misconduct attributed to Sattar.
This disciplinary action occurs amidst widespread public criticism regarding alleged security vulnerabilities at Kannur Central Jail, which are believed to have facilitated Govindachamy’s escape. Investigations into the security breach are ongoing.
Govindachamy, a disabled individual with a history of offenses from Virudhachalam, Tamil Nadu, was convicted for the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman. In 2011, during a robbery attempt on the Ernakulam-Shoranur passenger train, he pushed the woman from the moving train and sexually assaulted her. The victim succumbed to her injuries on February 6, 2011.
Initially sentenced to death by a Thrissur fast Track Court in November 2011, a decision later upheld by the Kerala High Court, Govindachamy’s conviction was altered by the Supreme Court in 2016. The apex court acquitted him of murder charges due to insufficient evidence and commuted his sentence to life imprisonment.
Further details emerging from the case indicate that the escape of Govindachamy may have been facilitated by facts circulating within the prison. It is understood that jail inmates were aware of the circumstances surrounding Govindachamy’s case,including alleged links of individuals managing gold to the incident. This information had reportedly been communicated to prison authorities.
