The wrinkled face of 70- year- old Padram of Amoli village beamed with a smile when he breathed the fresh air of freedom after 14 years within walls of the district jail. His hair has turned from grey to silver white and front teeth dropped, but he is happy, smiling full length and willing to live life zestfully after he would return to his home. Five other prison inmates were also leaving the high guarded walls of the prison after 14 years. Their eyes were looking for their family members, but only one among them was fortunate to have his son waiting outside while others went on their own.
Padram and his friend Khagram were convicted in a murder case of Chani Ram whom the duo along with three other aides had attacked with lathis while hiding in sugarcane fields in village Amoli of Almora district 14 years ago. There was some personal rivalry between the two which had led Padram to make the murderous assault. Chani Ram was rushed to Bageshwar by Patwari where he had died and a case was registered under IPC Section 302. The court had announced lifetime imprisonment for the convicts. Following orders from the Governor House a day before, they were released from the district jail.
Speaking to The Pioneer, jail superintendent S K Sukhija said, “Six prisoners who maintained good conduct while in the prison have been released following the Governor’s order. The process of releasing 17 other short- listed inmates has also started. A total of 23 convicts were listed after inspector general of jail PVK Prasad personally interviewed them some time ago.” In all, 55 convicts living in the district jail have completed imprisonment of 14 years.
Among the released prisoners, one each hails from Bageshwar and Vikasnagar while others are from Haridwar. It is learnt that the prisoner Devendra Bisht and Om Prakash got the highest wages for their works done during these years amounting to Rs 13000 while Padram received Rs 10, 000, Khagram Rs 4000, Nepal Rs 4000 and 76- year- old Shabbir Rs 6000.
Notably, the prison authorities were forced to start the procedure of interview and release following hunger strike by the prison inmates a few months ago.