Karnataka: 252 lifers to walk free today

BENGALURU: It's a big day for 252 prisoners who have spent more than a decade in jails across the state, as they have got the biggest ever gift on Ganesh Chaturthi by the state government. They will be walking out of jails forever on Thursday.

In a swift development on Wednesday, Governor Vajubhai Vala gave his consent for the premature release of 252 lifers. The files from the Raj Bhavan reached the home department and then the prisons department by afternoon. Soon after they received the files, ADGP & IGP of Prisons, Kamal Pant, reportedly ordered the heads of all central prisons in the state to make arrangements for the release of all eligible inmates on Thursday.

As per the orders from the prison department headquarters, the prison authorities have organised functions at central prisons. The programme is scheduled to be held between 3 pm and 4 pm and the inmates will be released. In the event planned at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, Home Minister K.J. George will take part.

Among the 252 eligible lifers, more than 140 are lodged in Parappana Agrahara. The state government had given nod to the list sent by the prison department at the cabinet meeting held on August 31. The list was later sent to the governor for approval.

The prison department had suggested the names of prisoners, who fit the parameters laid down by the Supreme Court. The apex court, lifting a two-year-old ban on July 23, restored to the state governments their discretion to grant liberty to life convicts, subject to conditions laid down by the court.

As per the guidelines the convicts must have completed more than 14 years with remission in the prison and should have a record of good behaviour during the prison term. However, this does not apply for those convicted in terrorism-related cases.