Thiruvananthapuram: Kalluvathukkal is popularly known as Manichan. The governor has approved the government’s decision to release Manichan, who has been in jail for the past 22 years in connection with the Kalluvatukkal liquor tragedy.
Usha’s years of legal battle for her husband’s release have now come to fruition. Though his life was ruined due to the case, Manichan’s family was still praying and waiting for his return. Manichan was convicted in the case while his eldest son Praveen was studying BBA. With that, Praveen returned home after completing his BBA studies in Bangalore. Her sister also finished her studies in the 10th class. The notoriety of being the daughter of the accused in the alcohol tragedy case also hindered the marriage. Years later, Manichan was released on 15-day parole for the second marriage of his estranged daughter. Manichan, who returned to jail after his daughter’s marriage, was barely home for two years during Kovid’s prisoner’s parole. Manichan Kovidkala, a well-known farmer in jail, became a good farmer at home on parole. He returned when his parole expired.
Despite the end of his sentence in the case, Manichan’s family is yet to know the date of their involvement in the case. The house and property near the Chirayinkeezhu warehouse are still attached. Usha and her family did not even have the means to support themselves as they struggled to make ends meet with the lawsuit, the family’s daily expenses, their children’s education and marriage. Usha lived with her children until they came of age at a relative’s house near Irattakalung. Praveen, who dropped out of BBA halfway through his studies, went abroad occasionally but to no avail. Even years after the Kalluvatukkal tragedy, it is only a part of this family that is still living by its notoriety. Manichan, who is returning from jail, should be allowed to live longer.