Prayagraj: As many as 23 convicts out of the total 39 released on parole earlier in the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, who were slated to return to Naini central jail on or before November 25, are yet to show up. Officials, meanwhile, said that the parole term of all the 39 convicts ended on November 21.
A week after the expiry of their parole period, authorities of Naini central jail have written letters to the district magistrate, and senior superintendent of police (SSPs) concerned, seeking immediate action and arrest of the errant convicts.
Senior superintendent of Naini central jail, PN Pandey, told TOI, “We have written to DM\SSPs of the concerned districts and sought their immediate intervention regarding the return of convicts back to Naini central jail”.
He added, “Only 16 out of the total 39 short term convicts (less than seven years), released on parole in April and May, have returned to the Naini central jail so far”.
Last week, a total of 2,256 convicts from 72 jails across the state released on parole by the jail authorities to check the spread of Covid-19, were sent notices by state authorities asking them to return to their respective prisons on or before the expiry of their parole extensions.
As per jail authorities, the convicts were given 3-4 extensions after the expiry of their first parole of eight weeks on various dates initiated since the last week of March. The date of their return depended on the date of their release from the jail and expiry of the extension period.
Before releasing the convicts, the jail officials had collected details from them as to where they would be staying during the parole period. However, since Naini jail authorities have no idea regarding the ‘missing’ status of the 23 convicts yet to return, the authorities have spoken to SSP\SPs of concerned districts and sought their immediate attention to ensure the safe return of the convicts to Naini central jail, at the soonest.