Leader of the PDP (People’s Democratic Party, founded by Abdul Nasar Madani), accused in the infamous 1998 Coimbatore blast case and the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts and five co-accused have sparked controversy by travelling home in an ambulance from Poojappura Central Jail. Social worker Charummood Shemeer Khan has lodged a complaint in this regard with the Motor Vehicles Department.
The group travelled to their native place of Thamarakkulam, Alappuzha, from the Central Jail on August 6. PDP leader Sinoj Thamarakkulam and the co-accused had been sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for hacking the local DYFI leader in Charummood in 2014.
Sinoj had filed an appeal before the Kerala High Court against the Sessions Court verdict, and they were granted appeal bail. However, when their associate reached Thamarakkulam with the appeal documents, it was past 5 p.m. As Poojappura is 110 km away from Thamarakkulam, they allegedly used an ambulance to make the journey, the petitioner claims. He further alleges that the ambulance kept its beacon light flashing and its siren blaring, thereby misleading both the public and the police. The PDP leaders were then taken home in the same ambulance.
Shemeer Khan stated that he had lodged complaints about the misuse of the ambulance with the Transport Minister, the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), the Enforcement Wing, and other authorities.
It is reported that when the accused reached Thamarakkulam at night, they were accorded a warm welcome. They were garlanded as part of the reception, which saw the participation of several women. Shemeer Khan alleges that a video of the reception is being circulated on social media. Thamarakkulam is said to be a stronghold of the PDP.
It appears that the PDP is enjoying the same privilege that the CPM benefits from in Kerala when it comes to the treatment of accused and convicted persons. On August 4, convicts in the case relating to the chopping off of both legs of RSS leader C. Sadanandan Master, now a Rajya Sabha member, were given a farewell in Kannur when they were taken to jail. The send-off was led by K.K. Shailaja MLA, a former minister and prominent CPM leader in the state.
There are widespread complaints that murder convicts belonging to the CPM receive VIP treatment in central jails, including access to mobile phones with internet facilities. Recently, a murder case convict reportedly enjoyed alcohol with friends, under police protection, while out on parole.
