Delhi Government is in the process of formulating new guidelines tightening norms for grant of parole to prisoners that comes in the midst of controversy over Jessica Lal murder case convict Manu Sharma violating conditions of the temporary release.
"The new guidelines have been sent to Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna last week for his approval," Home Secretary of Delhi Government G S Patnaik said.
The new guidelines will include fixing of specific time frame for police to complete the verification process of any inmate seeking the benefit and debar repeated offenders from getting the parole.
Besides introducing 30 days time frame for police to complete the verification process, the new guidelines also carry a provision to debar those who can create law and order problem.
The process on a parole plea starts with police verification of the inmate's background. The final clearance has to be given by the Chief Minister and the Lt Governor.
Patnaik said after approval by the Lt Governor, the file will be sent to the Delhi High Court for final clearance as the exercise has been undertaken following a directive from the court last year.
Dissatisfied with slow process of verifications of those seeking parole, the Delhi High Court in October last year had directed the city Government to frame new guidelines so that parole applications can be disposed off expeditiously.
The framing of new guidelines coincides with the controversy relating to parole granted to Sharma who returned to Tihar jail before its expiry following mounting criticism that he violated parole norms.
Asked whether the Chief Minister would still require to clear the applications as per the new guidelines, Patnaik said "that procedure will remain as it is."
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit came under attack for recommending parole for Sharma, serving a life sentence.
In a significant development that lent weight to allegations that Manu violated parole norms, Delhi police sent a letter to the government confirming his presence at a night bar in a city hotel.
Delhi government had asked the city police to investigate whether Sharma violated the parole norms by moving out of Chandigarh and paying a visit here. PTI
