A crucial meeting of the Jharkhand State Sentence Revision Council, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, convened in Ranchi, leading to the approval of the release of 51 inmates who had been serving life sentences across various districts in the state. The meeting, which took place at the Chief Minister’s residential office, also encompassed the review of 37 new release cases and the reconsideration of 66 cases previously rejected by the council.
Attending the meeting were high-ranking officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, the Principal Secretary of the Home, Jail, and Disaster Management Department, the Director General of Police, and other key figures from the legal and correctional services.
Following the recommendations of the State Sentence Revision Council, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and officials engaged in a thorough discussion regarding the release of 103 inmates serving life sentences. Each case was examined in detail, with the Chief Minister gathering comprehensive information about the inmates before finalizing the decisions. Ultimately, the Chief Minister authorized the release of 51 inmates, taking into account their age, family situation, social background, and education.
The meeting emphasized the importance of connecting released inmates with social security programs. The meeting acknowledged that some inmates had existing health and mental health issues and would receive necessary medical and psychological care to aid their reintegration into society. Decisions regarding the release of such inmates would be contingent on medical reports.
During the review, inmates who had served 14 years or more in jail, had reached an advanced age, and exhibited good behavior were also considered for release. Officials were directed to provide support and guidance to help the released inmates establish a positive social life.
As a result of these efforts, a total of 619 inmates have been released since 2019. The department has completed physical verification of 558 inmates. An additional 61 are still awaiting verification. The Chief Minister was informed that out of the 619 released inmates, 470 have been enrolled in various government schemes, including pension plans, ration cards, and housing programs. Efforts are being made to ensure that all eligible released inmates benefit from the government’s social security initiatives.
