Aurangabad : The State government is mulling over a proposal of revoking the furlough right of rapists and kidnappers. The announcement to this effect can be made soon as the paper work has already been completed. The decision will also be applicable to the convicts of kidnappping as well.
Sources said that the State’s home ministry has already sought views on the move from senior IPS officers of prisons and they have sent their views. Most of them are of the view that furlough right should be revoked in these two cases.
Citing the reasons they have stated that both the crimes (rape and kidnapping) are heinous and are committed with planning and take days and weeks to complete unlike murders. Murder, though considered a capital crime, is sometimes consequence of circumstantial provocations, sudden or impulsive reactions.
Therefore, there is no disagreement over continuing the furlough right to the murder convicts.
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Difference between parole and furlough
Deputy inspector general of police (prison) of the Aurangabad Central Jail, Rajendra Dhamne, throwing light on the difference between parole and furlough, said that former is granted to prisoner on certain grounds while the latter is a sort of accumulated leaves. In case of death of the blood relatives, serious ailment, examination or any other situation similar to these the prisoner gets parole. However, 14 days furlough is given to prisoners once in two years and could be extended for further 14 days. It is in the cases of prisoners serving terms for more than 7 years. If a prisoner is serving a term less than 7 years, he is entitled to avail 14 days furlough and 14 days extension once a year. No parole or furlough is available for under trial prisoners, Dhamne clarified.
Close relatives, on whose death a prisoner is granted parole, include father, mother, sisters, brothers, wife and children of a prisoner.
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Sudhir Dharmadhikari
