Covid-19 helps man walk out of jail

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:28.03.2020

A 45-year-old man, who was forced to remain in prison for almost 18 months despite being granted bail as he was unable to provide surety, walked out of jail on March 21, released with 271others as part of the safety measures for Covid-19.

The authorities at the Central Prison at Puzhal said Gopalakrishnan alias Karnan, an orphan, was arrested at Chromepet in October 2017 on a complaint from Pozhichalur resident R Raja, an autorickshaw driver. As per the complaint, Raja, 31, was near a textile store when Karnan brandished a knife and snatched Raja’s mobile phone and ₹700. Some passersby tried to catch him, but Karnan threw some soft drink bottles at them and fled. He was later arrested and a court sent him to Puzhal prison.

In end-2018, Karnan, a resident of Nedumpalam near Thiruvarur, finally applied for bail. A court accepted his petition and asked him to produce the required cash and surety by a person known to him. Karnan was able to arrange the cash, but no one was willing to stand surety for him, authorities said.

Finally, a court ordered his release owing to Covid-19 scare along with other inmates.