The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Prisoner's release: BJP faults Government

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 20, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Prisoner's release: BJP faults Government

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG. 19. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president, N. Indrasena Reddy, has charged the State Government with violating the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in connection with the release of Mujib Ahmed, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing the Additional SP, Krishna Prasad, and his gunman in early '90s.

Court guidelines

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he said the apex court had earlier issued guidelines stipulating that Governments could not grant pardon to prisoners, who had been jailed for anti-national activities, organised crime, dowry harassment, rape, and certain other crimes including the killing of officials.

Explanation sought

Condemning the release of Mujib, he demanded the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to explain to the people the grounds on which he was freed. He said Mujib was an "ISI agent" and a member of the JKLF and continued to direct "anti-national" activities while in jail.

The BJP leader wanted action to be taken against the officials who recommended his release after holding an inquiry.

Alleging that norms were not followed while releasing a large number of prisoners on the Independence Day, he demanded the Government to clarify whether it had informed the Centre while releasing Mujib. Earlier there were reports that the Intelligence Bureau of the Central Government had informed the State Government that he was organising gangs while remaining in prison.

Lampooning the manner in which they were freed, he said that it now appeared that jails were no longer needed in the State. "Why should petty offenders be held in jails when traitors are released," he said derisively.

Mr. Reddy also announced the setting up of a five-member committee headed by the BJP State vice-president, S.V. Seshagiri Rao, for drafting a report regarding the stand to be taken by the party before the tribunal on Krishna waters.

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