Marking a gesture of humanity! Cabinet approves Special Remission to Prisoners on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti

New Delhi, July 19: Granting Special Remission for Prisoners and opening doors of the prison, the Cabinet approved permitting Special Remission to Prisoners as part of Commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Women and Transgender convicts of 55 years of age and above, who have completed 50 % of their actual sentence period will be released under this special remission. Male convicts of 60 years of age and above, who have completed 50% of their actual sentence period will also be released.

Physically challenged and disabled convicts with 70% disability and more who have completed 50% of their actual sentence period, terminally ill convicts and convicted prisoners who have completed two-thirds (66%) of their actual sentence period will also get this remission. The prisoners will be released in three phases.

 

Special remission will not be given to prisoners who have been convicted of an offense for which the sentence is of death or where the death sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment. Dowry death, rape, kidnapping for ransom, POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act), TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act), Money Laundering, POSCO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act), NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act), Human Trafficking, FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act), Prevention of Corruption Act will not be given this remission.

Home Ministry will issue advice to all States and UTs asking them to process the cases of eligible prisoners. State Governments and UT Administrations will be advised to constitute a Committee to examine the cases. State Governments will place the recommendations of the Committee before Governor for consideration and approval under Article 161 of the Constitution.

In Phase-l, the prisoners will be released on 2nd October this year, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In Phase-ll, prisoners will be released on 10th April on the anniversary of Champaran Satyagraha and in Phase-Ill, prisoners will be released on 2nd October 2019.