I-Day gift: 84 prisoners to walk free this year

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

In the wake of the 75th Independence Day and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Karnataka government has decided to release 84 prisoners who are serving sentences in various jails across the state on the basis of good conduct.

Every year, on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15, a special remission is granted to a certain category of prisoners and they would be released on parole in a phased manner. As per the records, more than 15,000 convicts are housed in various jails across the state. According to sources, about 10,000 among them are undertrial prisoners.

The prisoners who would qualify for premature release will be identified based on their behaviour and respective jail superintendents will submit their names to the Home Department. After a discussion between the Home and Law Department, the matter is left to be discussed in the cabinet. However, the final decision is taken by the chief minister.

This year the State Prison Department has identified 84 prisoners who had been sentenced to life imprisonment. A few days ago, the Central Home Department had written to the state government and instructed them to identify the prisoners and release them on August 15. Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said that the 84 inmates, including four women inmates, fall under the criteria set by the Home Department.

Out of 84, 81 inmates have completed two-third of their sentences. Their names and list are likely to be finalised in the next 15 days, he said. More such prisoners will be released in the second and third phases during Republic Day and Independence Day in 2023, respectively.

According to the rules, the eligibility criteria include those who have served 50% of their sentences and are female, transgender, 50 years or older, male, 60 years or older, physically disabled inmates who have served 50% of their terms, terminally ill inmates. Those inmates who have served their sentences but are still in jail because they haven’t paid their fines and young inmates aged 18 or younger are all eligible for the premature release, the minister added.