Taking the officials of the Poojappura Central Prison by surprise, a murder convict who jumped parole 25 years ago returned and requested to be admitted to jail.
Nazar, 55, of Mattancherry had been sentenced to life imprisonment, along with eight others, as the fourth accused in the Abu murder case in April 1991. Four convicted in the case were acquitted later.
While Nazar had gone on parole and returned to the prison on multiple occasions, he failed to do so after he was granted a month-long parole in December 1992. The police launched a hunt, but he remained at large till his unexpected return on Wednesday.
According to Jail Superintendent S. Santhosh, the convict confessed to have had gone to various places outside the State, including Coimbatore and Mumbai, before heading for the Middle East where he had undertaken many odd jobs.
He returned to Kerala some years ago and was diagnosed with cancer. Nazar, a bachelor, struggled to find means to fund his treatment. He claims to have spent nearly ₹8 lakh within a short period.
Tired of being on the run, Nazar decided to return to prison.
“He could have returned as he did not want to burden his siblings with the responsibility of tending to him,” Mr. Santhosh said.
Similar case
The official pointed out that there had been a similar instance in Kannur when a convict returned around 20 years after jumping parole.
