Delhi Government To Release 14 Prisoners Before Completion Of Their Sentences, Proposal Sent To LG

A proposal has been sent to the LG for early release of 14 convicts by waiving their sentences

The Delhi government has sent the proposal for early release of 14 prisoners to LG Vinay Kumar Saxena for approval. Home Minister Kailash Gehlot has sent this proposal to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi for approval. After this it will be sent to LG. The Delhi government says the Sentence Review Board (SRB) has recommended early release of 14 prisoners after a thorough review of a total of 92 cases. These inmates include those who have shown signs of reform and repentance in prison.

Home Minister Kailash Gehlot said the early release of these prisoners would give them a second chance to join the mainstream of society, but would also go a long way in reducing the growing burden on prisons. This recommendation was made once before but then the LG returned this recommendation requesting it to be sent through the Chief Minister.

After CM’s approval

This time, after the approval of Chief Minister Atishi, the proposal has been sent to the Lt. Governor again on 24 September 2024. The meeting of the Sentencing Review Board held on February 23 was chaired by Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gehlot. Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Director General (Prisons), Principal Secretary (Law), Chief District Judge, Special Commissioner of Police and Director of Social Welfare and other key officials participated in the meeting.

Decision taken at the meeting

The meeting recommended remission of sentence and early release of 14 convicts. Now after this proposal is approved, these 14 convicts will be released from jail. Under Article 161 of the Constitution, the power to pardon a prisoner rests with the state government and not the governor. However, the Head of State is bound by the advice given by the appropriate Government.