Kannur (Kerala): Sherin Karanavar, a life convict in the 2009 murder of her father-in-law Bhaskara Karanavar, was released from the women’s prison and correctional home in Kannur on Thursday, following a government order remitting her sentence.

Sherin, who had been out on parole, returned to the prison in the evening to complete the procedures related to her premature release. She is among 11 prisoners granted early release under the latest remission order. The directive for her release was issued by the Kerala Government on Tuesday.

The State Cabinet had earlier, in January, recommended Sherin’s release to the Governor citing her “good conduct”, a decision that sparked controversy and drew sharp criticism from several quarters. Ironically, reports had surfaced about Sherin’s alleged misconduct in different prisons during her incarceration.

The government, however, stood by its decision, stating that Sherin had served 14 years of her life sentence and was eligible for remission.

In February this year, Sherin was booked in a case involving the alleged assault of another inmate at the Kannur women’s prison. The incident occurred on February 24, when Sherin and another inmate Shabna allegedly attacked KM Julie, a foreign national, while she was fetching drinking water. According to the FIR registered by Kannur Town Police, “Sherin allegedly pushed Julie, and Shabna abused her and shoved her in the chest.”

Convicted in June 2010, Sherin was found guilty of murdering her father-in-law with the help of her paramour Basith Ali and other two – Nithin and Shanu Rasheed. She and Basith Ali were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mavelikkara Fast-Track court — a verdict later upheld by both the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court.