JOIN USPrisons Minister A Narayanaswamy has said the government is committed to releasing reformed prisoners but the Governor has not given his consent. Governor H R Bhardwaj has returned 84 proposals of the 99 presented to him.
Replying to a question tabled by H S Shankarlinge Gowda (BJP) in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, he said of the 84 names sent to the governor, one name was cleared for premature release, 23 were rejected, clarification was sought in 45 cases, one had died and action had to be taken as per CrPC 432(5) in 14 cases. The proposals were sent to the governor’s office between September 3 and October 21. Files pertaining to each case was submitted with all the details, he said.
The government cannot be blamed for not releasing the prisoners, Narayanaswamy said and added that he had met the governor twice in this regard. Only the names of those who had completed 14 years of imprisonment were recommended and the State Cabinet had cleared the names, he said.
“The governor’s office sought details of the court orders in each case. The vigilance committees’ reports too were sent. We have followed all the rules. Prisoners with only good conduct were chosen for release. We do not have any authority to release prisoners. Remission can be granted only by the President or the Governor,” he said.