Case against Karanavar murder convict Sherin for assaulting fellow inmate in Kannur jail

Sherin, serving life for murder, faces new assault charges in Kannur jail, sparking controversy over commutation recommendation.

A case has been registered against Sherin, who is serving a life sentence in the Bhaskara Karanavar murder case, for allegedly assaulting a fellow inmate at the Kannur women’s jail. The incident occurred on Monday (February 24, 2025) when Sherin and another inmate, Shabna, reportedly attacked K.M. Julie, a foreign national and fellow prisoner, as she went to fetch drinking water.

The case registered by the Kannur town police states that Sherin pushed Julie, and Shabna abused her and shoved her in the chest.

Sherin had been at the centre of a controversy following a Kerala Cabinet recommendation to the Governor for her sentence to be commuted after completing 14 years in prison.

The proposal, which was processed swiftly through the Home department, sparked criticism as several other long-serving prisoners, including patients, who had completed 20 years were overlooked.

Officials defended the decision stating that the commutation was considered after 14 years, but concerns were raised over Sherin’s past behavioural issues in various prisons.

Sherin was convicted for the murder of Bhaskara Karanavar, a Chengannur native, on November 8, 2009. She, along with her paramour Basit Ali, killed Karanavar, who was her father-in-law. The Mavellikara fast-track court sentenced her to life imprisonment, a ruling later upheld by the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court.

Initially suspected to be a robbery-murder, the case unravelled when an analysis of Sherin’s phone records revealed 55 calls to Basit Ali. Further investigation led to a crucial breakthrough when Basit’s thumbprint was found on a cupboard handle in the victim’s bedroom.