11,000 prisoners in Maharashtra to get parole: Minister

Some 11,000 prisoners in Maharashtra, including those whose sentence period is less than seven years, will be released on parole for 45 days to reduce crowding and avoid spre of coronavirus in jails, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Thursday.

He me anuncement through an official tweet from his handle @AnilDeshmukhNCP. measure also covers under-trials, minister said later.

"Some 11,000 prisoners or accused people whose sentence period is less than seven years, can be released on parole. I have alrey issued necessary orders to prisons across state," Deshmukh said.

"re are some 45 prisons in state, where this decision will be implemented," said home minister.

se 45 prisons house about 60,000 inmates, he said.

"This is a red flag and potential flashpoint for rapid spre of COVID-19 as prisoners are living in congested , stated an official communication issued by Deshmukh later.

Under-trial prisoners and those convicted and sentenced to up to seven years in jail - ir combined figure stands at approximately 11,000 - will be released on parole, initiatively for 45 days, Deshmukh said.

se prisoners will have to undergo a medical check-up and will be issued necessary passes to facilitate journey to ir native places, he said.

At 130, Maharashtra tops in number of COVID-19 patients in country.

(Im source - PTI)