New Delhi, September 28: Under the scheme for special remission to prisoners to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the third phase of release of prisoners will be carried on October 2, 2019 (Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi). So far, 1424 prisoners have been released by states and the Union Territories in two phases on October 2, 2018 (Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi) and April 10, 2019 (Anniversary of Champaran Satyagrah) reported MHA. In one case, decision has been taken to commute the death sentence to life imprisonment, and in remaining eight cases, decision has been taken for premature release of prisoners serving life sentences and other sentences, through special remission. Mahatma Gandhi 150th Birth Anniversary: Narendra Modi, President Kovind, Rahul Gandhi Remember ‘Father of the Nation’; Leaders Pay Homage at Rajghat.

Also, considering the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji and as a humanitarian gesture, the Government of India has taken a decision to grant a special dispensation to nine Sikh prisoners from various jails in the country.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had given its approval to grant Special Remission to Prisoners on July 18, 2018, as part of Commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The following categories of prisoners will be considered for special remission and released in three phases.

"The 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is a significant occasion and giving special remission to prisoners on this important occasion is considered desirable and befitting the commemoration and would be a homage to the Father of Nation and the humanitarian values Mahatma Gandhi stood for," read the PIB release.

(a) Women convicts of 55 years of age and above, who have completed 50% of their actual sentence period.

(b) Transgender convicts of 55 years of age and above, who have completed 50% of their actual sentence period.

(c) Male convicts of 60 years of age and above, who have completed 50% of their actual sentence period.

(d) Physically challenged/disabled convicts with 70% disability and more who have completed 50% of their actual sentence period.

(e) Terminally ill convicts.

(f) Convicted prisoners who have completed two-third (66%) of their actual sentence period.

"Special remission will not be given to prisoners who have been convicted for an offence for which the sentence is sentence of death or where death sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment; Cases of convicts involved in serious and heinous crimes like Dowry death, Rape, Human Trafficking and convicted under POTA, UAPA, TADA, FICN, POCSO Act, Money Laundering, FEMA, NDPS, Prevention of Corruption Act, etc," said PIB release.

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