State to release 102 prisoners as tribute to Gandhi

Mumbai: The Maharashtra home department on October 5 will release 102 prisoners who have been convicted for non-heinous crimes and have demonstrated good conduct in prison. This is part of the Government of India’s celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary from October 2, 2018, to Oct-ober 2, 2019.

The 102 prisoners include 24 prisoners from Yerawada, three from Thane, one from Dhule, two from Amaravati, three from Wardha, three from Aurangabad, 10 from Nashik, nine from Kolhapur, 38 from Taloja, two from Nagpur, and seven from Arthur Road Jail (Mumbai).

The Union government decided to grant special remission to specific categories of convicted prisoners who consistently maintained good conduct during their term in prison. Special remission and release of such prisoners would be a homage to the father of the nation and the humanitarian values he stood for.

An official of the state home department, requesting anonymity, said, “Earl-ier, the release of the prisoners was decided on October 2 but due to several states not having completed the procedural paperwork, the date of release was changed to October 5.”

Officials said that a programme on Gandhi’s philosophy would be conducted in prison before releasing the prisoners. The prisoners will also offer garland or pay homage to Gandhi’s statue or photo. Each of the prisoners to be released would be given a book on Gandhi by prison authorities.   

Officials said that a list of 102 eligible prisoners had been sent to governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao for his appr-oval, and he gave his nod last week. A list of another five prisoners was sent to the ho-me department for remission by the additional DGP, which had also been sent to the governor for his approval. The governor, under Article 161, has the power to remit sentence.