The Kerala High Court has once again granted a day's escort parole to Monson Mavunkal, a convicted fake antique dealer serving a life term in a POCSO case. The parole was sanctioned on Friday to allow him to visit his rented house in Kaloor, Kochi, to verify items allegedly missing after a theft at the property.
Court's Directive for Parole
After considering a fresh petition filed by Mavunkal and a report from the Ernakulam Crime Branch DSP, a bench comprising Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar issued the order. The court directed the superintendent of Viyyur jail to grant the convict escorted parole from 8 am to 5 pm on Friday. This decision came after a previous parole granted on November 4 for the same purpose proved insufficient, as Mavunkal was unable to complete the verification exercise on that day.
The Alleged Multi-Crore Theft
The core reason for the parole request stems from a serious theft reported at Mavunkal's rented residence. It is alleged that several high-value items were stolen from the property. The list of missing valuables reportedly includes precious idols, a gold-clad Holy Quran, and a Holy Bible. The total estimated value of the allegedly stolen items is a staggering Rs 20 crore.
Background of the Convict
Monson Mavunkal is a notorious figure who gained infamy as a fake antique dealer. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Despite being incarcerated, the recent theft at his former rented accommodation has necessitated his temporary, court-monitored presence at the site for verification purposes, leading to the High Court's parole order.
The court's ruling underscores the legal procedures followed even for convicts, ensuring their rights are addressed within the framework of security and judicial oversight. The incident also brings back focus on the high-profile case of Mavunkal and the extraordinary claims of valuable possessions linked to him.
