TP murder case: Kerala HC seeks state’s stand on plea to shift Kodi Suni to Kannur prison

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought the State's stand while considering a plea on behalf of NP Sunil Kumar or Kodi Suni, who is currently undergoing life imprisonment for the TP Chandrasekharan murder case, seeking his transfer from Central Prison & Correctional Home, Thavanur (Malappuram) to Central Prison & Correctional Home, Kannur.

Dr Justice Kauser Edappagath was considering a petition filed by Suni's mother, who has stated that she has not seen her son for over 13 years. The trial court convicted him in 2014, and the High Court upheld the Conviction 10 years later.

In her plea, she has stated that she is unable to meet her son due to her advanced age and serious infirmities, including arthritis, asthma, etc. She further stated that she cannot travel the long distance from her residence in Kannur to Thavanur to see him.

Although Suni was granted parole on two occasions in 2024 and 2025, it was under restrictive conditions that prevented him from entering the Kannur and Kozhikode districts. Thus, she had not been able to meet him.

From November 2023, Suni had been detained at Thavanur. Earlier this year, Suni was temporarily transferred to Kannur prison on remand custody in connection with the trial of another case. While there, he was granted parole for 15 days, but before the period given was over, he was arrested and remanded back to prison on the grounds that he had violated a parole condition by staying at an address other than the one he had declared initially.

According to the petitioner, he had informed the concerned police station of the address change and did not go to Kannur or Kozhikode as mandated under the parole order. But he was transferred again to Thavnur prison by an order citing a violation of parole conditions.

Though she preferred a representation to the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services to transfer him to Kannur, it was rejected, stating that the last transfer was due to disciplinary action against the convict.

"The Petitioner prays for the immediate transfer of her son from Central Prison & Correctional Services, Tavanur to the Central Prison & Correctional Services, Kannur — nearer to her residence, so that she may be permitted to meet him in person and maintain familial access, as contemplated under both humanitarian and rehabilitative regimes of the prison statutes," states the plea.

Considering the plea, the Court directed the government pleader to take instructions in the matter and posted the matter for November 18.
(With LiveLaw inputs)