Mumbai: Following uproar over Sajjad Mogul killer of lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha jumping parole in Maharashtra this year, the state government notified new parole rules on Wednesday, a media report said.
As per the new rules, those convicted of rape, rape and murder, any section of Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, dacoity or kidnapping will not be eligible for regular parole in Maharashtra. Those convicted of serious offences like child trafficking and convicts serving life until death will also be denied parole from now onwards.
However, as per the media report, emergency parole will be considered on a case by case basis.
According to another report, the department is also considering to reduce the period of parole to half, i.e. 45 days instead of 90 days. In addition, no pleas will now be entertained for parole extension.
Meanwhile, Majid Memon of NCP slammed the state government's decision on revising parole laws. "Maharashtra government is making a slight mistake while revising parole laws. The purpose of parole is to keep a person in the touch of family and society on few occasions," Memon was quoted as saying by CNN-News18.
Maharashtra government has encountered a humiliating situation by having the highest number of parole violations consistently that forced the government to revise parole rules. An uproar was witnessed after convict Sajjad Mogul, killer of lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha, jumped parole early this year and is yet to be traced.
Last week, the Maharashtra Home Department had put all parole applications on hold temporarily. The department had notified that no parole would be given till revised rules are notified.
