Kochi: After a curious incident in which the Malayalam TV news channel Janam TV, which is known for its right-wing Hindutva bias and stances, named notorious rape-murder convict Govindachamy as Charlie Thomas, the Syro Malabar Church in the state strongly condemned the channel’s action. The Church described what the channel did as a deliberate and malicious attempt to mislead the public by referring to Govindachamy, who made headlines on Friday, attempting to escape from Kannur Central Prison, The Hindu reported.
Charles Thomas is a false name Govindachamy gave police in the past. Govindachami was convicted in the 2011 rape and murder case of a Kerala woman, who was travelling on a train from Kerala’s Ernakulam to Shoranur.
The Syro Malabar Church Media Commission issued a statement over the channel’s alleged malicious conduct, noting that when the convict’s name was recorded as Govindachamy in police files, court verdicts and Supreme Court documents, Janam TV chose to use Charlie Thomas. It was a calculated move in violation of both journalistic ethics and moral decency, the Church alleged.
Though Govindachamy, a proven habitual offender, was named in early police records as Charlie Thomas, investigation and legal proceedings identified him by his widely known name and established the same as his real identity. Particularly, the Church reminded the Supreme Court of him as Govindachamy in its final verdict.
He had given false names like Charlie, Krishnan, Raj, Ramesh, etc., the statement pointed out.
The Hindu reported on Friday that the Church is deeply concerned over Janam TV's continuing use of the convict’s name as Charlie Thomas.
“No other media highlighted the false name of the accused, and I suspect that there is some malicious intent behind the repeated false narrative. The Church cannot admit such false propaganda being spread in society,” The Hindu quoted Syro-Malabar Church spokesperson Fr. Tom Olikkarott.