The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : 27 life convicts released from State jails

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 12, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

27 life convicts released from State jails

A. Subramani

To mark golden jubilee of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Legislature

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government on Friday released 27 life convicts, serving their sentence in various jails in the State, to mark the golden jubilee of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in the Legislature.

Pursuant to a recommendation by Additional Director-General of Prisons R. Sekar, the State Cabinet and the Governor cleared their release. The decision was taken keeping in mind the interests and welfare of the prisoners concerned, as well as the celebrations, the order read.

While six convicts were released from the Vellore Central Prison, two were released from Puzhal-I, five from Coimbatore, two each from Tiruchi and Madurai, six from Cuddalore and three from Palayamkottai central prisons. A woman prisoner was released from the Special Prison for Women in Vellore.

Faced charges

Though all the beneficiaries had completed between 16 and 20 years in custody they were not considered for premature release on earlier occasions as they were facing charges of attempting to escape from confinement or "resisting apprehension."

Oldest of them is 68-year-old Mohammed Haji of Malappuram in Kerala. He was in prison for 20 years. He rendered himself ineligible for early release as he failed to return for over a year after he was granted parole.

On Friday, on seeing his relatives waiting to receive him outside the jail premises, Mr. Haji broke down and said he could not believe he was free, according to advocate V. Kannadasan, Special Public Prosecutor for Human Rights Court. Early release of convict prisoners was done last in 1997, he added.

Life convicts cannot demand early release as a right even after completing 14 years in confinement. The matter is left to the discretion of the State. Also, if the conviction is for a case of murder for gain or offences against the State or women, the prisoner concerned is not entitled to early release.

Released prisoners are either handed over to their relatives or escorted to their native place by the jail administration. Such prisoners shall execute bonds incorporating certain terms and conditions, which mandate them to appear before the district probation officers periodically, Mr. Kannadasan said. If they are involved in any criminal activities after release, their early discharge will be cancelled and they have to serve their remaining term in jail. On Friday, P. Munivelu and S. Rajendran, Deputy Inspector-General and Superintendent of Coimbatore Central Prison respectively, arranged for financial assistance to some of the released persons.

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