Diwali Homecoming: 143 Gujarat Prisoners Get 15-Day Parole
The Gujarat government has approved a 15-day Diwali parole for 143 eligible inmates to celebrate the festival with their families.
In a move aimed at fostering prisoner welfare and advancing prison reforms, the Gujarat government has announced that 143 eligible inmates will be granted a 15-day Gujarat Diwali prisoner parole to celebrate the festival of lights with their loved ones.
The decision, made under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, allows selected prisoners from various correctional facilities across the state to step outside the prison walls for a limited period. This tradition of granting Diwali parole has been a cornerstone of the state's prisoner welfare policy since 2003.
Who is Eligible for the Holiday Leave?
The government has set specific criteria to determine who can benefit from this festive release. The parole is primarily extended to two categories of inmates:
- Senior Male Prisoners: Eligible men aged 60 years or older.
- Female Prisoners: Eligible women serving sentences in state jails.
Out of the total 143 beneficiaries, 103 are male prisoners aged 60 and above, while 40 are female prisoners. The parole period is scheduled to begin on Dhanteras, November 6, 2026, lasting for a total of 15 days.
Strict Exclusions: Who Stays Behind?
While the initiative aims for reform, the state maintains a strict security filter to ensure public safety. K L N Rao, the Director General of Police (Gujarat Prisons and Correctional Department), clarified that those involved in serious or heinous offences are strictly ineligible for this benefit.
Prisoners barred from parole include:
- Those convicted of serious and anti-social crimes such as rape, kidnapping, robbery, dacoity, theft, or extortion.
- Inmates involved in terrorist activities or actions that are detrimental to the state's economy.
- Prisoners serving sentences under stringent laws including the NDPS Act, TADA, and POTA.
- Individuals convicted of more than one offence.
- NRI prisoners and those hailing from other states.
- Prisoners whose appeals are currently pending before the High Court.
- Those against whom preventive detention orders are currently in force.
This balanced approach allows the Gujarat government to support the mental well-being and family reunification of low-risk inmates while ensuring that high-risk offenders remain incarcerated during the festive season.