Govt’s new parole rules baffle High Court

When the much-awaited new parole rules framed after the Manu Sharma parole controversy and the uproar over processing delays by other prisoners finally arrived on Wednesday, it shocked the Delhi High Court Not a single prisoner in Tihar and Rohini jails would get parole if the new rules were approved, reports Harish V Nair

When the much-awaited new parole rules framed after the Manu Sharma parole controversy and the uproar over processing delays by other prisoners finally arrived on Wednesday, it shocked the Delhi High Court Not a single prisoner in Tihar and Rohini jails would get parole if the new rules were approved.

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In its ‘category of prisoners who will not be eligible for parole’, the government had virtually included all offences mentioned under the Indian Penal Code.

“What is this long list? This is not the correct criteria,” a Bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and S. Muralidhar told Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium who appeared for the state.

According to it, those convicts whose presence is considered dangerous and would disturb public peace will not be allowed to take the benefits of parole along with those who are involved in serious violence such as assault, riot, etc.

“Prisoner convicted of an offence against any law relating matter, offence involving sedition, cruelty, personal greed, serious or premeditated violence, offences related to TADA, firearms and other dangerous weapons will not be granted parole,” the guidelines stated.

The Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) promptly objected to the guidelines. The court asked the state to amend the guidelines and submit it by Thursday.