Bhopal, Mar 07: On the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8, 2008, the state government has decided to give special remission in sentence to women prisoners. The decision would benefit women prisoners convicted by courts in Madhya Pradesh and severing sentences in the jails of Madhya Pradesh or other states. Orders to this effect have been issued.
The order issued by the Jail Department in this connection said that the women prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment after December 18, 1978 and who have been undergone 14 years of sentence should be released unconditionally. Such women prisoners would also be released who have not been convicted for life imprisonment and who have served half of the sentence on March 8, 2008. The Jail Department has decided not to give remission in the sentences of those women prisoners whose crime is being investigated by Delhi Special Police Establishment or any other agency empowered to make investigation under any Central Act. Besides, the women who are habitual offenders or are undergoing imprisonment for not furnishing security would also not get the benefit of this decision.
The women prisoners found guilty under the following Act would also not get any remission in their sentences. These Acts are Dowry Prohibition Act, The Prevention of Corruption Act, The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, National Security Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Foreign Exchange Act, Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, Madhya Pradesh Excise Act, the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, Essential Commodities Act, Protection of Civil Rights Act and Public Representation Act.