900 prisoners released as part of Mahatma’s 150th birth anniversary celebration

NEW DELHI: More than 900 prisoners have been released from jails across India under an amnesty scheme announced as part of the year-long celebration to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi beginning October 2, the Home Ministry said on Thursday.

Women convicts aged 55 years and above and male convicts of 60 years or more, who have served half of their sentence, and a few other categories of prisoners were eligible for the amnesty scheme announced by the Narendra Modi Government.

In the week-long first phase of special remission to prisoners, the states and Union territories, after obtaining the approval of the competent authority in their jurisdictions, have released more than 900 prisoners, a Home Ministry statement said.

In the second and third phase, prisoners will be released on April 6, 2019 and October 2, 2019 respectively. (AGENCIES)

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