Crime Branch requests SC not to grant parole to key accused in Suryanelli case

New Delhi: The crime branch has requested the supreme court that Dharmarajan, the key accused in the Suryanelli case, should not be granted parole or bail. Dharmarajan is not eligible for parole as he is the accused in the gang rape case. The Crime Branch DYSP told the apex court that if bail is granted, he is likely to abscond and threaten the victim.

S Sheriff, Deputy Superintendent of Crime Branch from Kottayam unit, asked the Supreme Court in writing not to grant Dharmarajan parole or interim bail. The Crime Branch DYSP informed the court of the written objection after discussing with Poojappura Central Jail Superintendent NS Nirmalandan Nair.

Dharmarajan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Suryanelli case, is currently in the Poojappura jail in Thiruvananthapuram. Dharmarajan had requested to grant him parole or interim bail considering the Covid situation in prison.

Poojappura jail has 701 inmates. The Crime Branch DySP told the Supreme Court that not a single Covid case was reported in the jail in the last two months. The Crime Branch has stated in a note to the Supreme Court that he is not eligible for parole under the prison rules as he was convicted in a gang rape case.

Earlier, Dharmarajan, when released on bail during the trial, had absconded. The Crime Branch told the court that if interim bail is granted, he may abscond and threaten the victim. Therefore, the Crime Branch requested the top court to dismiss Dharmarajan's bail plea.

Dharmarajan pointed out in his bail plea that all other accused in the case have been granted bail. He has already spent more than ten years in prison. He requested for parole or interim bail stating these reasons.