Patna: The Bihar government has approved the release of 44 prisoners from various jails on humanitarian grounds to mark Gandhi Jayanti. The decision follows recommendations from district-level and state-level prisoner remission committees.
The Home Department has issued a notification authorising the remission, with the prison administration now carrying out the release process.
Cabinet Approval And Committee Recommendations
The remission had earlier received approval from the state cabinet. The Home Department subsequently issued the notification after considering recommendations made by the district-level remission committees and the state-level remission committee.
The beneficiaries include prisoners who have served long sentences, elderly inmates and people suffering from serious illnesses.
Elderly Prisoners Among Those Released
A substantial proportion of the prisoners being released are elderly. Two inmates are aged above 90, eight are above 80, while 20 are between 70 and 80 years old.
Among those named in the list is 93-year-old Rambriksh Koiri of Rohtas Jail. Other inmates include Yogeshwar Yadav of Madhepura, 84-year-old Harivansh Ram and 82-year-old Ramashish Yadav.
Female Inmate Included
The list also includes a female prisoner from Purnia Jail who has completed approximately 20 years of her sentence.
The remission process also covers prisoners whose release has been considered on medical grounds. Satyanarayan Singh and Pankaj Gupta have been granted remission citing serious illnesses.
Release Process Under Way
Remission has traditionally been considered for eligible prisoners based on factors including age, conduct and other prescribed humanitarian considerations.
Following the Home Department’s notification, the concerned prison authorities are completing the formalities required for the release of the 44 prisoners.
