NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Taking up the issue of pre-mature release of 13 life convicts hailing from Punjab, presently lodged under TADA Act in the jails of various states across the country for the past several years, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today wrote separately to his counterparts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka and Gujarat besides Lt. Governor, New Delhi and Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh for their prompt release on humanitarian grounds.
In separate letters to his counterparts of above mentioned states, Lt. Governor, New Delhi and Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh, the Chief Minister impressed upon them to consider their cases sympathetically as per the provisions of pre-mature release policy of their states so as to secure the release of these convicts expeditiously. He asked them to appreciate that in India, we followed reformatory approach in furtherance of the Criminal Justice System. He was confident that their states have a Pre-Mature Release Policy for life convicts adding he said, “When a prisoner spends more than stipulated period in jail and eligible to be considered for pre-mature release, when he is not released resentment in the minds of his near and dear ones is caused and also provide reasons for certain segments of society to agitate.” Apart from this on pure humanitarian ground, everybody deserved a chance to reform himself and get reintegrated into the society as a good member, the Chief Minister added.
In a letter, the Chief Minister urged his counterpart in Uttar Pradesh Mr. Akhilesh Yadav to consider the case of life convict Waryam Singh presently lodged in Central Jail, Bareily (UP), who had already undergone incarceration of 22 years. Likewise, Mr. Badal also raised up the issue with the Rajasthan Chief Minister Mrs. Vasundhra Raje for the release of another life convict Gurmeet Singh Fauji currently lodged in Tonk jail, Rajasthan, who had already completed nine years out of 10 years imprisonment awarded to him.
The Chief Minister also took up the matter with the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee of releasing the life convict Daya Singh Lahoria lodged in Tihar Jail, New Delhi, who has already completed 10 years of imprisonment against the life sentence awarded to him. Similarly, the Chief Minister also impressed upon the Gujarat Chief Minister Mrs. Anandiben Patel for the release of life convict Lal Singh, presently lodged in maximum security jail Nabha (Punjab), who has already undergone incarceration of 22 years. Mr. Badal also took up the matter, of releasing the life convict Gurdeep Singh Khaira, presently lodged in Gulberg Jail, Karnataka, who has already undergone imprisonment of 24 years with his Karnataka counterpart Mr. Siddaramaiah.
The Chief Minister also sought personal intervention of Lt. Governor New Delhi Mr. Najeeb Jung for the release of life convict of Davinder Pal Singh, presently lodged in Tihar jail, Delhi, whose death sentence awarded by the Additional Session Judge Delhi Court has already been commuted to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court and the said convict had already completed imprisonment of 20 years. Likewise, Mr. Badal also requested Lt. Governor New Delhi for the release of two more life convicts Parmjeet Singh Bheora and Jagtar Singh Hawara, both were lodged in Tihar jail, Delhi and had undergone incarceration of 19 years.
The Chief Minister has also taken up the cases of five life convicts namely Gurmeet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Subeg Singh and Nand Singh with the Administrator of UT Chandigarh Mr. Shivraj V Patil for their release.
It may be recalled that all these convicts were presently lodged in Burail jail, Chandigarh, of which Gurmeet Singh, Shamsher Singh and Lakhwinder Singh have already completed 19 years of imprisonment while Subeg Singh and Nand Singh have undergone incarceration of 15 years.
