Shivappa (name changed), who had spent more than a decade at Bengaluru Central Jail, Parappana Agrahara, after being found guilty of murder, had applied for bail three times in the past; all in vain. Finally, on Wednesday, it was a moment of serendipity as he stepped out of prison a free man.
Last year, he was certain his application would go through, and the family planned his wedding. But, he had to get married on parole, only to return to jail.
“I could not spend much time with my wife. I am unable to describe my joy at this moment as I walk out of the prison. After having served such a long term in jail, I do not wish this situation even for my enemies,” said an emotional Shivappa. Hailing from Davangere, he was convicted for murder at the age of 23.
Several convicts were pardoned after the government recognised their good conduct in addition to their time served in prison. Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy issued certificates to as many as 92 prisoners.
Those released included 31 from Bengaluru, Mysuru (16), Belagavi (09), Kalburgi (14), Vijayapura (09), Ballari (06) and Dharwad (07). Of these, 90 were convicted for murder and two for kidnap.
Their pardon was slated to take place on Republic Day, but owing to procedural delays, they are being released now, officials said.
Many of the prisoners who were finally able to get out of Central Jail were overjoyed to see their families waiting outside for them. As soon as Veeranna (45) walked out of the prison, he saw his younger brother Ajay eagerly waiting for him.
“We have gone through so much in life without my brother being around. I am glad he is coming home now,” said Ajay. Their 60-year-old mother had travelled from Davangere to greet her son.
Veeranna served 13 years in prison after he was convicted of murder. The brothers said they would take care of the family by cultivating a small patch of land they owned back home.
Several people who were released from the prison said they would start cultivating their lands in an effort to begin afresh in life.
Suresh (46) from Sindagi in Vijayapura, who is returning home after 17 years said. “I have studied PUC. Agriculture is my option right now,” he said.
The Home Department inaugurated phone booths on the premises of the prison. Prisoners will be allowed to make calls of 100 minutes every month, with 9 minutes of call time every day.
They will have to pay ₹80 per month to use these services. According to officials, they can make calls to three numbers, all of which will be recorded and monitored.
The call monitoring will be done based on biometrics and requires every caller to register their fingerprints before placing a call.
