CHENNAI: As many as 636 convicts were granted premature release between 2022 and 2025, the State Home Department informed the Madras High Court. In addition, there are 43 convicts who are eligible for release, it added.
Based on the directions issued by the Supreme Court, the Madras High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter to monitor the State government's policies relating to remission of sentences and premature release of prisoners convicted in criminal cases. In this connection, a division bench comprising Justice P Velmurugan and Justice M Jothiraman had directed the State to file a status report.
In compliance with this direction, the Home Department filed a report, stating that, the guidelines relating to premature release of prisoners and grant of parole were framed in 2023 and notified through a Government Order. As per these guidelines, reports are obtained from the Prison Welfare Officer, the District Collector, and the Superintendent of Prisons regarding life convicts who are completing 14 years of imprisonment. Decisions on premature release are taken based on those reports, it said.
The department said in the report that 636 prisoners were granted premature release in Tamil Nadu between 2022 and 2025.
After January 2025, the State-level committee met on three occasions to consider the premature release of 44 prisoners. Of these, premature release was granted to seven prisoners, rejected in the case of 15 prisoners, and orders in respect of 22 prisoners are awaited, the report said.
It also stated that there are 307 prisoners in Tamil Nadu prisons who have completed 14 years of imprisonment. Of them, 43 prisoners are eligible for consideration for premature release. It was further explained that the President of India, the High Court, and the Governor have directed that remission should not be granted in certain cases. Prisoners convicted in sexual offences, including Pocso cases, are not eligible for premature release.
Recording the report, the judges adjourned the hearing of the case to January 6.