Only 87 Prisoners to Be Released on Republic Day in MP; Jail Department Rejects 394 Proposals

Ahead of Republic Day on January 26, the Madhya Pradesh government has taken a significant decision regarding the premature release of prisoners lodged in state jails. After a detailed review, the Jail Department has approved the release of only 87 prisoners, including seven women serving life sentences, while rejecting 394 out of 481 proposals submitted for consideration.

The decision has come as a major setback for hundreds of inmates who were hoping for release on the occasion of the national festival. Officials said the approvals were granted strictly on the basis of good conduct, eligibility under the jail manual, and legal provisions.

Decision Taken After Thorough Scrutiny

According to the Jail Department, all 481 cases were examined in detail under the relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Prisoners who failed to meet the prescribed criteria were declared ineligible, leading to the rejection of the majority of proposals.

The government clarified that inmates whose appeals are pending before the High Court or the Supreme Court will not be released at this stage. Additionally, prisoners who have not deposited the imposed fine will continue to remain in jail until the penalty is fully served.

Special Conditions for Women Prisoners

The list of approved prisoners includes seven women undergoing life imprisonment, who will be released under special conditions. Authorities also stated that if any inmate has pending cases in other states, they will be transferred to the concerned state’s jail instead of being released.

Circle-wise Release Details

As per official data, the highest number of releases—11 prisoners—will take place from the Bhopal Circle. This is followed by Rewa (10), while Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar, and Indore circles will each see nine releases.
Additionally, six prisoners each will be released from Narsinghpur and Barwani, five from Ujjain, and three from Narmadapuram. One prisoner from Alirajpur District Jail and two inmates from Indore Open Jail will also be freed.

Focus on Rehabilitation

The Jail Department emphasized that only those prisoners were granted relief who have served a substantial portion of their sentence with dignity and discipline, and who are considered fit for reintegration into society.

The decision reflects a cautious approach by the state, balancing compassion with public safety, while ensuring that the process of premature release remains law-bound and transparent.