Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired the meeting to deliberate over proposed policy-2022 relating to period of release of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment under various Acts.
At present, the policy of year 2012 is in force in the state. More than 12 thousand prisoners are serving life imprisonment in 131 jails of the state.
The new policy prepared in relation to prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, has no provision for relief to criminals committing heinous crimes. The imprisonment of criminals involved in terrorist activities and rapists of minors will not end in 14 years.
In Madhya Pradesh, a policy has been made to keep such criminals in jail till their last breath.
Criminals found guilty of terrorist activities under various acts, those convicted of raping minor, those convicted of gang-rape, those engaged in spurious liquor business, offenses related to foreign exchange, murder in two or more cases, will now be remain in jail till their last breath.
Those convicted of committing the offense of murder while in service of Government servants shall also be included.
Similarly, criminals who have committed crimes against the state and offenses relating to any part of the army will also not be spared.
Similarly, criminals who have committed crimes against the state and offenses relating to any part of the Army will also not be spared.
The new policy will not apply to all of them.
The prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment in these crimes will now have to remain in jail till their last breath.
A prisoner convicted under Section 376 punishable with imprisonment for life shall also not be released from jail before completing 25 years with actual imprisonment of 20 years and remission.
Prisoners of life imprisonment, who will be eligible for release after 14 years or 20 years of actual punishment, will also be released only after the recommendation of the Collector, SP and District Prosecution Officer and on the basis of the said recommendation by the Jail Headquarters will be sent to the state government and which will be approved by the state government.
In the policy of the year 2012 implemented earlier, action was taken by the Jail Headquarters as per the policy of release of prisoners serving life imprisonment twice a year and as per the recommendation of District Level Committee. Now action will be taken four times a year i.e on 15th August, 26th January, 14th April and 2nd October with the permission of the State Government on the provisions of the new policy and on the recommendation of the District Level Committee and Jail Headquarters.
No Relief to rape convicts
Chouhan said that such prisoners of life imprisonment, who get the benefit of premature release due to good behaviour, conduct etc., belong to a different category and terrorists, rapists are a completely different category of criminals.
No prisoners should get the benefit of premature release in rape cases under any circumstances. Such criminals are anti-social.
The meaning of release from imprisonment can apply only to criminals who show good conduct and a sign of a crime-free life ahead.
Who can guarantee that the one who has committed such a serious crime will not commit such a crime in the future.
The Chief Minister said that an action plan should also be implemented to bring down rape cases through awareness campaign.
Chouhan directed that it is necessary to strictly maintain the existing provisions of strictest punishment to the offenders who commit sexual offences against underage girls.
It is noteworthy that this proposed policy has been prepared after studying the policies of ten states.
For this a three-member committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary Home.
Two other members of the committee included the Principal Secretary, Law and the Director General Prisons.
Shri Chouhan instructed that the proposals of Anti-Gambling Act (with provision against online gambling), Public Safety Act and Gangster Act should be prepared and presented at the earliest, so that action can be taken to implement them in the state.
Home and Jail Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra, Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Additional Chief Secretary Home and Jail Dr. Rajesh Rajoura and senior officers concerned were present.
