Child rapist-killer freed after 21 yrs for good conduct

ROURKELA: A convict who was given the death penalty for the rape and murder of a five-year-old in 2002 before Supreme Court commuted his sentence to a life term has been freed from Odisha's Rourkela jail after 21 years due to good behaviour under a govt premature release policy, reports Malay Ray.

Purna Chandra Kusal, 48, was among three released Wednesday from the jail and 30 across the state under the policy. Among the other two, one was serving a life term for rape and the other for murder, assistant jailor Priyajit Mangua said.

Prison authorities said Kusal, who has lost vision in one eye, demonstrated exemplary behaviour and was elected "panchayat" member by inmates four times, most recently in 2022-23. "He showed remorse for his actions," said an official.