New parole guidelines after Manu Sharma episode

New Delhi: The Delhi government has come up with new guidelines for parole, after facing a lot of flak over the Manu Sharma episode.The papers are ready and await approval.

NDTV has learnt that:

• The procedure for parole will be simplified and streamlined
• Agencies will have to take a decision on granting parole within a prescribed time limit
• Parole may be granted only after additional conditions are cleared

The revamp comes after Sharma, sentenced to life in prison in 2006 for killing model Jessica Lall, was seen at a night club in Delhi last week, though his parole order stated his address as Chandigarh. Experts say he should have informed the authorities before moving from Chandigarh.

The incident raised questions on grounds for parole and the profile of people who may be granted the privilege.

According to law, convicts who have completed five years of their jail term may be granted parole on grounds of attending a wedding or medical emergency or funeral, or attending to someone who is their sole responsibility.

But several lawyers feel the privilege is more often than not granted to the rich and influential

"The idea of parole is to let convicts keep in touch with society. Nowadays, rich people get parole to see their grandchildren, while the poor languish in jail," says Supreme Court advocate Kamini Jaiswal.

Among the privileged few are:

• Former IPS officer R K Sharma, convicted of murdering journalist Shivani Bhatnagar, who got five days' parole in April 2003 to attend his daughter's wedding
• Ranjit Singh Gill, son of a retired vice chancellor, was granted two months' parole in 2009 to complete his education. He is serving a life sentence for the double murder of a Congress leader and his wife,  
• Most recently, politician D P Yadav's son Vikas Yadav, convicted of killing Nitish Katara, got 10 hours of reprieve to attend his sister's wedding.

Delhi Police also claim that a lot of these criminals take advantage of the time off and create more trouble outside. UP-based gangsters like Sharafat Sheikh and Munna Bajrangi carried on with drug rackets and extortion even on parole; and they are just a few.

"The police should ensure that convicts do not engage in unlawful activities outside jail," says High Court advocate Pinky Anand.

This is probably why Delhi Police has opposed parole in 95% of all instances; but their pleas are mostly overruled.