For 300 Sabarmati inmates, it’s a Diwali homecoming

For more than 300 prisoners, it is a Diwali gift. They were released on special parole and furlough by the authorities of Sabarmati central jail so that they could be home to celebrate the festival of lights on Wednesday. Every Diwali, the state government allows prisoners jailed for various petty offences to visit their families.

This year, 52 prisoners over the age of 60 years were released on parole. They included nine women. They will be home for 14 days with their families, while 268 other prisoners were released on furlough as decided by the government.

Jail authorities said this is an annual exercise when the government allows the prisoners to be home with their families. They said these prisoners are serving sentences for petty offences.

Authorities said prisoners who have been booked under narcotics, loot with murder, TADA and POTA charges are not allowed to avail of this special Diwali 'liberation'.

Authorities said conditional release is nothing more than a step towards giving a chance to the prisoners to unite with their loved ones during the festive season.