Punjab amends coverage: Convicts will now be eligible for time to time remission

Convicted prisoners in Punjab will now be eligible for remission infrequently, as an alternative of simply as soon as, underneath the modification to the Remission Policy 2010 accredited on Wednesday by the state Cabinet.
The Cabinet, at a digital assembly chaired by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, gave the go-ahead to the amended Remission Policy 2021, which makes remission relevant for prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for greater than 10 years, together with prisoners sentenced for all times, as an alternative of prisoners convicted for 10 to twenty years underneath the sooner coverage.
Moreover, convicts will now be eligible for time to time remission even in instances of offences dedicated underneath part 302 (homicide) or 304 (culpable murder not amounting to homicide) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, learn with sections 376 (sexual assault); 376 A (inflicting demise or leading to persistent vegetative state of sufferer); 376 AB (rape on lady underneath twelve years of age), 376 B (intercourse by public servant with lady in his custody); 376 C (intercourse by superintendent of jail, remand dwelling, and so forth).; 376 D (intercourse by any member of the administration or employees of a hospital with any lady in that hospital); 376 DA (gang rape on lady underneath sixteen years of age), 376 DB (gang rape on lady underneath twelve years of age); 376 E (whoever has been beforehand convicted of an offence punishable underneath part 376 or part 376A or section1 376AB or part 376D or part 376DA or part 376 DB and is subsequently convicted of an offence punishable underneath any of the mentioned sections shall be punished with imprisonment for all times, which shall imply imprisonment for the rest of that individual’s pure life, or with demise); and part 377 (unnatural offences), shall be punished with 1 [imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment of both description for a time period which can prolong to 10 years, and shall even be liable to tremendous.

The CM has been authorised to make any additional modifications as could also be advised by the jails division, mentioned a spokesperson in a written assertion.
“It may be recalled that on March 16, 2020, while considering premature release cases of life convicts, it came to the notice of the committee constituted at the level of government for the purpose, that the Remission Policy-2010 had some ambiguities. The committee also realised that the 2010 policy was silent on some provisions. Hence, it could not be clarified from the Remission Policy whether the remission announced by the Punjab government was to be granted to the convicts every year or it can be granted only one time during the sentence period. It was thus felt that the Remission Policy dated September 30, 2010 needed some clarification,” the spokesperson mentioned in a written assertion.
“After thoroughly examining the Remission Policy it was felt that some amendments were required to be effected in it. These amendments have now been included in the new Remission Policy 2021 so that the convicts confined in the jails of Punjab may get the benefit of remission granted from time to time. In addition, the new policy also incorporates some other important amendments relating to crimes against women that have been effected in the IPC,” added the spokesperson.
While Principal Secretary (Jails) D Okay Tiwari was not out there for remark, Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) P Okay Sinha mentioned: “The previous remission policy was not well drafted or worded and hence led to confusion. The new policy is aimed at removal of ambiguities and is more appropriately worded.”