SANGRUR, Punjab—In a significant development, Union government of India has maintained that matter of release of prisoners came under jurisdiction of states.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP from Sangrur Bhagwant Mann had demanded information on why Sikh political prisoners languishing in Punjab’s jail despite completion of their terms were not being released.
Mann posed this question on May 7 in the Lok Sabha, lower house of Indian parliament. Indian Home Minister of state Hari Bhai Chaudhry has sent written reply to Mann in this regard wherein former said that jail administration came under jurisdiction of state governments and the prisoners could be released as per states’ rules and regulations.
At last, the reply reads that notwithstanding the Supreme Court stayed release of prisoners serving life imprisonment, the matter is concerned with state governments. Even though there is a stay on release of prisoners by the Supreme Court, State Governments can still grant parole to prisoners.
It is worth mentioning that old-aged Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa has been sitting on fast unto death since January 16 for release of Sikh political prisoners making the issue as key one in Punjab. Even, going against its pro-India policies, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has forced to take up issue and its government led by Parkash Badal had to take measures in this regard. As a result, Sikh political prisoners Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera were shifted from jails of other states to Amritsar jail.
