NEW DELHI: West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose has ordered the release of 71 prisoners on humanitarian grounds during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations. In addition to the Indian citizens, 16 foreign prisoners are also being considered for release with the approval of the Government of India, according to sources from Raj Bhawan.
A term prisoner is a person who has been convicted of a crime and sentenced to a specific period of imprisonment. They may be released early for good behaviour.
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The decision to release prisoners is part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative, commemorating India’s 75th year of Independence. The Governor has granted the release on humanitarian grounds, emphasizing the need for objective norms and a fair selection process.
Raj Bhawan has proposed a committee to examine the matter and suggest a foolproof mechanism for selecting suitable prisoners for release. The Governor stressed the importance of avoiding arbitrariness and ensuring a level playing field for all prisoners.
The issue had been pending for some time due to a lack of satisfactory response from the state government. This is the first time in West Bengal that term convicts are being considered for release as part of Durga Puja festivities.