New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Manichan, the prime convict in the Kalluvathukkal hooch tragedy. The court was considering an affidavit filed by the Kerala Government stating that Manichan should remain in jail if he could not pay the fine of Rs 30.45 lakh. 

The bench comprising Justice Anirudh Bose and Justice Vikram Nath said that the government should not oppose Manichan's release because he failed to pay the fine. Court also questioned the government's failure in avoiding the hooch tragedy.

Why don't the government pay compensation to the victims if they can't prevent illicit liquor?, asked the apex court. 

The lawyer representing Manichan pointed out in court that Vinod Kumar and Manikandan, other convicts in the case, were released despite not paying the fine. Citing this, Manichan's wife requested the court for his release. 

The government filed the affidavit before the Supreme Court in reply to a plea moved by Manichan’s wife against the government order that demanded payment of a Rs 30.45 lakh fine for release. The government stated that the amount levied from Manichan would be distributed among the kin of the hooch tragedy victims. 

How many years the convict will have to stay in prison if he could not pay the fine?, asked the SC to Standing Counsel Harshad V Hameed, a representative of the government.

In June, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan signed the recommendation forwarded by the state government seeking the release of Chandran alias Manichan who was convicted in the Kalluvathukkal hooch tragedy case that rocked the state two decades ago.

Manichan has been serving a jail term in the case for more than 22 years. He is part of a group of prisoners to be pardoned as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', marking the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence.