Bhaskara Karanavar murder case: Sherin to walk out of jail as govt approves release order

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government approved an order to release Sherin, the prime convict in the infamous Chengannur Bhaskara Karanavar murder case. Sherin's release comes after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar approved the cabinet's recommendation to grant remission to 11 prisoners, including her.

Earlier, there were controversies over Sherin’s frequent parole and luxurious lifestyle in jail, which other inmates did not have access to. Citing this reason, Sherin’s release was muddled up in controversy, and there were reports of the government reconsidering its decision. The Raj Bhavan had sought more clarification on Sherin's case, including her clashes with fellow prisoners and her dubious behaviour inside prison.

Sherin and three others were convicted in the 2009 murder of her father-in-law, Bhaskara Karanavar. Sherin was granted a total of 500 days of parole during her sentence. Karanavar was aware of Sherin’s illicit relationship with another youngster and had confronted her once. This led to the woman hatching a plan to kill the elderly with the help of her boyfriend. Karanavar was strangled to death by Sherin upon the former’s arrival from the United States.

Apart from Sherin, the court had also sentenced Basit Ali, Nithin alias Unni, and Shanu Rasheed to life imprisonment in the case.

Sherin was sent to Poojappura Central Jail on June 11, 2010, after the court found her guilty in the Karanavar murder case. She was then transferred to Neyyattinkara Women's Jail. In this prison, she was found using a mobile phone and was transferred to Viyyur Central Jail in March 2015 as part of disciplinary action.

In Viyyur, controversy erupted after a photo of a prison doctor holding an umbrella for Sherin to escape the afternoon heat went viral. There were also reports of Sherin threatening prison officials. She was transferred to Thiruvananthapuram Women's Jail in March 2017. She is currently lodged in Kannur Central Jail.