BANGALORE: The Department of Prisons has sent to the State government a list of convicts who could be considered for release on good conduct.
However, the government has not yet decided on releasing them as it is waiting for the Supreme Court order on the hearing of a petition over the release of a few convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
The apex court had issued directions not to release any prisoners on good conduct till the hearing of this case is completed.
The state government has not released any prisoner on good conduct in the past eight years as the governor had rejected the previous lists.
In 2006-07, 309 convicts were released when H D Kumaraswamy was the chief minister.
ADGP (Prisons) K V Gagandeep told Express: “We have selected 260 prisoners who have shown good behaviour and sent the list to the government for its approval. The list of convicts too has been approved by district advisory committees headed by deputy commissioners and the state advisory committee led by a principal secretary. But we are waiting for the outcome of the petition which is coming up for hearing on August 18 to start the process of release of convicts.” He said there is no rule that prisoners with good conduct should be released only on national festivals like Independence Day, Republic Day, Kannada Rajyotsava or Gandhi Jayanthi. The prisoners could be released as soon as the apex court delivers its judgement, he added.
List Ready
When contacted, Home Minister K J George said the list of 260 prisoners with good conduct is ready with the government but they are waiting for the apex court’s ruling.
He said the government was also thinking of approaching the Supreme Court for permission to release the 260 prisoners since most of them were not involved in any sensational cases.
Both the state and district advisory committees have already okayed the list, which will be placed before the Cabinet after the apex court’s verdict.
Asked whether the list needs the assent of the governor, George said the government can decide on the release on its own.
“It has been a convention to send the list to the governor for approval,” he stated.
“In my view, it may be difficult for the government to release the prisoners on Independence Day,” the Home Minister said.
Who can be Released
Prisoners who have had a record of good behaviour during their imprisonment and parole can be released. But this comes with the condition that their release should cause no disturbance to public order, and no threat to the family of victims and to themselves.