Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced that rape and murder convicts, dacoits and kidnappers will no longer be granted ‘regular’ parole. Jail manuals will be updated with new rules.
The Maharashtra Home Department had last week put all parole applications on hold temporarily. The department had notified that no parole would be given till revised rules are notified.
Maharashtra government has encountered a humiliating situation by having highest number of parole violations consistently that forced the government to revise parole rules.
The decision was taken after a man serving life term for rape and murder of lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha went missing earlier this year.
Sajjad Mogul, who was serving a life term for the 2012 murder case, went missing while on parole after leaving the Nasik jail in March to visit his unwell mother.
An enquiry was ordered on why he was granted parole and a top jail official was also suspended. Despite efforts by the Maharashtra police, Mogul has not been traced yet.
The changes were sent for notification after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave his nod to the proposal.
Those convicted of rape, rape and murder, any section of Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, dacoity or kidnapping will not be eligible for regular parole in Maharashtra. Those convicted of serious offences like child trafficking and convicts serving life until death will also be denied parole from now onwards.
According to another report, the department is also considering to reduce the period of parole to half, i.e. 45 days instead of 90 days. In addition, no pleas will now be entertained for parole extension.
Meanwhile, Majid Memon of NCP slammed the state government’s decision on revising parole laws. “Maharashtra government is making a slight mistake while revising parole laws. The purpose of parole is to keep a person in the touch of family and society on few occasions,” Memon said.
