Bhopal: 14-year-old boy gives award money for freedom of four prisoners

A murder accused, Srijan Singh, 46, was abandoned by his family. For several years nobody came to see him in Bhopal Central Jail.

Authorities told him a few months ago that he would be released on this Republic Day before his term was over owing to his good behaviour.

Srijan had paid most of his fine working inside the jail but RS 5,000 was still outstanding. He was in a state of depression because he knew that his family would not come to his help.

Like Srijan, there are three other prisoners who had lost hope of getting freedom because of non-payment of their remaining fine.

But thanks to 14-year-old award winner Ayush Kishore, all four prisoners are set to walk out of jail on January 26.

The winner of the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, 2016, given by the President of India, for excellence in mathematics, Kishore gave his prize money to pay for the remaining fine owed by the four, all of whom were in jail for more than a decade, said PD Shrivastava, deputy jail superintendent.

Kishore, who has won several medals and national and international competitions in mathematics, was moved after the alleged jailbreak in Bhopal on the night of October 30, 2016.

He asked his mother Vineeta Malviya, a police officer, about what life was like in jails.

“The Bhopal jailbreak and a murder of jail sentry moved Ayush a lot. He received a cash award of Rs 10,000 in the President’s Award and Rs 28,000 from his school after being declared an all-round student. He asked me so many questions about jail and prisoners and showed his willingness to do something for them,” said Malviya.

“My mother told me that there are many prisoners who are very poor. They work inside the jail for many years and pay their fine through the money they earn. Some cannot afford paying even Rs 2,000 for their freedom. I have decided to help such prisoners,” said Kishore.

“Circumstances made these prisoners criminals. They have completely changed. Owing to their good behaviour, some are being freed before the end of their term,” Shrivastava said.