JOIN USSeventeen prisoners, who have completed 14 years as convicts in Dharwad Central Jail, will be considered for release, according to Additional Director General of Police (ADGP Prisons) K V Gagandeep.
Briefing reporters, he said, the State government had issued an order on January 7, 2014, to prepare list of prisoners who have completed 14 years of imprisonment, and had good conduct.
The documents pertaining to each prisoner will be examined by the State-level screening committee and decision on their release taken. The Governor will have to put his stamp of approval for their release, based on the recommendation of the State government, he added.
It may be recalled here that prisoners in Dharwad Central Jail had, on October 30, 2013, launched an agitation demanding release of those convicted for life imprisonment on the basis of good behaviour. In a memorandum to the Governor, through in-charge Jail Superintendent Nagaratana, over 70 prisoners had demanded release on the eve of Rajyotsava Day last year.
“We have been in jail for the past 10 years for crimes committed in a weaker moment, and we have repented for it. The Governor should issue orders for our release on the basis of our good conduct during our stay in the jail. When H D Kumarswamy and B S Yeddyurappa were chief ministers, they had taken steps to release such prisoners.
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments have followed this method, the memorandum said.