Prison officials help convicts go on parole without police nod

BENGALURU: Some of prison department staff are facilitating a murder case convict to go on parole without getting the police report, it has been revealed.

Explaining the modus operandi of the prison department staff, a source in the department told Deccan Chronicle that the staff send mails to wrong email IDs of police officials, stating that a police report is required for releasing a prisoner on parole.

But as the mails never reach the intended police officers, the prison department staff go ahead with the parole procedure, mentioning that there had been no response from the police.

In the latest case, the prison staff in Mandya are reportedly helping a murder case convict Mahadevaswami alias Paanipuri, a convict in a murder case with convicted prisoner no. 757 go out on parole without getting the police report. Mahadevaswami has sought a 30-day break from his prison term, stating that he had to get his house repaired.

“To make it appear like they have followed all the procedures, the prison department staff have sent an email to the Mandya SP, as the murder case was registered in Malavalli Rural police station.

But in fact, the email has been sent to wrong email ids. The email ID of Mandya SP is spmdy@ksp.gov.in, but the mail has been sent to spmdya@ksp.gov.in.

In their last communication, the staff have stated that non-receipt of the police report will be considered as no adverse opinion on the release of the convict on parole,” a source said.

Also, the staff don’t send the hard copy of the requisition to help the prisoner get parole easily. “Many convicts are being released by flouting the norms and without getting police reports. These staff members pocket good money by sending the convicts on parole,” the source added.

When Deccan Chronicle contacted Malavalli Rural police station Sub-Inspector Ashok, he said that he had not received any requisition from the prison department for a police report for sending a convict on parole. “I have not received any communication, either through email or post,” he confirmed.

Retired DG & IGP S.T. Ramesh said that the parole is granted based on the conduct of the inmate and the reason s/he gives to go on parole.

“The police report is mandatory for any prisoner to be released on parole. It is compulsory because the police have to go through his case and assess whether he would create problem for the public order if released on parole, or whether there is any threat to his life by his rivals, etc.”

Mr Ramesh said that the police take time to send the report, but it is not appropriate to release anyone without the report.

ADGP & IGP (Prisons) Kamal Pant, who took charge as the head of the prison department three days ago, told Deccan Chronicle that the file was pending before the department. “The convict is not yet released and I will look into the matter,” he added.