You cannot destroy a woman's life and roam freely on parole: Maharashtra minister
Amending the jail manual, the state government has decided that rape, murder convicts will not be granted parole or furlough.
In Short
- Maharashtra government makes changes in norms for furlough, parole.
- State decides that rape, murder convicts will not be granted parole.
- Legal experts express apprehensions about the changes.
Maharashtra government has made major changes in the norms for furlough and parole. Amending the jail manual, the state government has decided that rape, murder convicts will not be granted parole or furlough. Those convicted of serious offences like involvement in terror activities, sedition and child trafficking will not be eligible for regular parole; those serving life till death will also to be denied parole.
DURATION OF PAROLE, FURLOUGH
Speaking to India Today, Minister of State for Home, Deepak Kesarkar said "the period for regular parole has been brought to half for 45 days from earlier 90 days. While, the period for regular furlough has been brought down to 21 days from 28."
"We keep learning from incidents. A heinous crime like rape destroys the life of a woman. With this change (of denying furlough or parole to rape convicts) we want to send across a message that you cannot destroy a woman's life and roam around freely," Kesarkar said.
Asked whether the state is concerned about the changes being challenged, Kesarkar said that the state has taken this decision after due deliberation and is willing to fight it out if it is challenged in the court.
WHAT LEGAL EXPERTS SAY
Meanwhile, legal experts have expressed apprehensions about the changes in the jail manual. "These provisions of parole and furlough have been there since British era. In most of the cases it is provided on humanitarian grounds like family emergency. It will not be easy to abolish them easily like this" said senior lawyer and NCP leader Advocate Majid Memon. Eminent lawyer and AIMIM leader Waris Pathan though welcomed the move, but said he was skeptical about the implementation. "There is a need to strictly implement the rules for furlough and parole. In countries like England, a person on parole or furlough is tagged so that his movements can be monitored. May be we can also try something on these lines" said Pathan.
Also read:
No parole for rapists, kidnappers in Maharashtra