In Bihar, 44 prisoners to be released on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary

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The Samrat Choudhary government has taken a decision to release 44 prisoners lodged in different jails on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, 2026. 

Earlier, 43 prisoners were released from different jails on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary in 2018. After eight years, prisoners are once again being released on Gandhi Jayanti this year.

A large number of the prisoners being released from jails this year are elderly and have been serving long-term sentences. Two of them are above 90 years of age, while eight prisoners are above 80 years and 20 prisoners are in the 70–80 age group. 

In addition, one prisoner suffering from a serious illness is also being released on humanitarian grounds. A woman, who has completed nearly 20 years of her sentence in Purnia Jail, is also among those being released.

Among the prisoners being released are Rambriksh Koeri (93) who will be released from Rohtas jail. Yogeshwar Yadav, Harivansh Ram (84) and Ramashish Yadav (82) all from Madhepura and Satyanarayan Singh and Pankaj Gupta will also be released on the occasion. 

Satyanarayan Singh and Pankaj Gupta are suffering from serious illnesses. All of them have served long periods of imprisonment.

The prisoners are being released on the recommendation of the State Prisoners’ Remission Committee. The State government’s decision has been taken keeping in mind humanitarian considerations, social rehabilitation and public welfare. The release will provide these elderly and infirm prisoners an opportunity to return to their families and reintegrate into society.

In addition, financial assistance will be provided on October 2 to the family members of victims of crime. An amount of approximately ₹3.86 crore will be distributed among 1,820 beneficiary families.

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