My BLOG……………. BY (by M.H.Azaad Social Activist & Journalist)

“JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.”

Sick & old at jail await mercy

Hyderabad : Behind the bars of Cherlapally Jail in Telangana State, one inmate, totally disconnected, unhealthy making last making the same wish. Abdul Khader 65 years of age and serving sentence at the jail, has applied for his early release on health grounds after completion of more than 14 years’ sentence. The plea went unheard and no solution had been taken so far seems to unjustified.

Over 600 convicted prisoners above 65 years of age are languishing in different jails anxiously waiting their turn to be released. A majority of them suffer from chronic diseases and some of them are not even in a condition to perform their routine work.

In the many years in jails in India, there many prisoners above 65 years of age. Forty-eight of them are, in fact, receiving treatment at the hospital of the jail. The startling fact came to light after information was sought under Right to Information Act by -based non-governmental organization— from the home department.

About 50 prisoners in the different jails at India (including one meant for women inmates) were so weak that the fellow prisoners had to help them perform their daily activities.  Prisoners’ welfare officer-cum-public information officer (PIO) Jai Prakash Das admitted that no prisoner above 65 years (who are suffering from serious diseases) had been released in the past decade under the provisions of a notification issued by the home (special) department, government of Bihar (through letter No. 3106, dated December 10, 2002). Under the provision, prisoners above 65 years and suffering from chronic diseases are liable to be let off before the completion of their sentence if they have already served five years in the prison. Under sub-section 3 of the government notification, prisoners, convicted for rape, dacoity, terrorist activities, contract killing and murder cannot be released before the completion of the sentence.  “Such prisoners are unfit for the claim,” a source in the home department said.

Das, however, said that 250-300 prisoners had been released in the past seven years after their cases for early release were approved by the Bihar Rajya Dandadesh Parihar Parshad, constituted by the state government.  “The parshad has met only seven times between 2003 and 2009 against 27 meetings scheduled during the period under the provisions,” Das said to Vidhik Pahal president Om Prakash Poddar. Not just unwell, old prisoners but also convicts who have completed their term are languishing in state jails. Kedar Mandal, along with Prakash Mandal, Vijay Mandal and Rajesh Mandal, were convicted in a murder case in Munger district and awarded life term by a local court. While Prakash completed his sentence on August 31, 2009, Vijay completed the term on January 31, 2010 and Rajesh on May 3, 2010. Similarly, Bhudev Yadav, Ganga Yadav and Anil Yadav were awarded life term for the murder of their neighbour. They completed their sentence on February 2 and February 7, 2010, respectively, but have not been let off from the Munger jail yet.

Om Prakash told The Telegraph that he would take up the matter of such convicts with the Bihar State Human Rights Commission. “These are cases of blatant violation of human rights,” he said. Justice delayed is justice denied seems to be true and fact. Let the Government take the initiative at the earliest on Humanitarian grounds.