HC clarifies its order on transfer of political prisoners

Kochi, Oct 26 (UNI) A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court today clarified that its order of October 10 explaining that it had issued a direction that the political prisoners in Kannur jail should be re-transferred to Viyyur jail in Thrissur district.

The Bench comprising Justices J B Koshy and K Padmananabhan Nair said the clarification, followed the recent statement by the Director General of Prosecution that there was no such direction to transfer the political prisoners from Kannur jail to Viyyur jail.

The court observed that in the statement filed by the Director General of Prosecution, it was stated that mobile phones and mobile chargers were found in Central Prison.

The Court also observed that the DGP (Prisons) had submitted that one Raveendran died in prison in a clash between prisoners.

Following this incident, some prisoners were transferred to Central Prison at Thiruvananthapuram and to Viyyur jail at Thrissur.

But the situation became uncontrollable, after the political prisoners were re-transferred to Kannur jail from Viyyur jail.

The Bench said ''Considering all these aspects we have directed to transfer the political prisoners to Viyyur jail.'' However, the court also rejected an interim prayer filed by one Gokul Prasad of Palakkad, questioning the transfer of M G A Raman and alleged that the transfer was mala fide.

Mr Prasad submitted that Raman was transferred only because of his submission before the court on Otober 10.

The court also posted further proceedings in the case to November 28.

UNI