Prison row: DGP regrets controversial comments

Faced with the ire of the Government and Congress party, Kerala DGP (Prisons) Alexander Jacob today regretted some controversial comments he made about alleged breach of prison rules by some accused in a sensational political murder case in a Kozhikode jail.
Responding to clarification sought by Home Minister Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan on the comments he made to media yesterday, Jacob expressed regrets the row his remarks sparked, sources in the Home Minister's office said.
The controversy over violation of prisons rules took a serious turn with Radhakrishnan seeking an explanation from the DGP (Prisons) for his controversial comments having legal bearing on a sensational political murder case.

The Minister also took objection to Jacob's justification of one of the accused in the case - local CPI(M) leader Mohanan - meeting his wife and party MLA Lathika at a hotel in Kozhikode while being taken to court a few weeks ago.
The issue had hotted up with the DGP holding that it was difficult to rush to conclusions on the alleged mobile phone use and Facebook postings by undertrials without any scientific examination.
He had also said the timing of the controversy was also "suspect" as one could not help doubting if it was part of efforts to influence the verdict in the case to ensure punishment to the accused as the court was expected to pronounce the judgement by this month end.

Meanwhile, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala came down heavily on Jacob today for making such remarks having political and legal implications.
He told reporters at Thodupuzha that Jacob's comments sounded like that of "a spokesman of CPI(M)."
The comments had sparked strong reactions yesterday itself from Congress and BJP while a top CPI(M) leader termed them as logical and sensible and a chargesheet against the UDF Government.