Kathmandu, September 19
This year’s Constitution Day did not see the release of any prisoners. Although the Department of Prison Management has submitted a list of eligible inmates to the Ministry of Home Affairs, no decision has been made, resulting in no releases on Constitution Day.
According to Ram Bahadur Sarki, the Information Officer at the Department of Prison Management, the ministry has not made a final decision, citing incomplete preparations. “We have already submitted the list of prisoners twice to the ministry, but since no decision has been made, it seems unlikely that any prisoners will be released tomorrow,” he said.
In a previous instance on June 23, a public notice announced the reduction of sentences for 620 inmates, followed by another notice on September 2 for the reduction of sentences for 420 inmates. Both groups were expected to be released on Constitution Day, Asoj 3. However, the process has been delayed due to additional work required by the ministry.
In contrast to past practices, prisoners were regularly released on Republic Day, and they were expected to be released again this year. However, no such releases were made on Republic Day either.
Previously, when prisoners were released, there was no requirement to seek consent from victims or notify them. However, after the release of Yogaraj Dhakal (Rigel) from Banke, who was serving a sentence for murder, the victim’s family filed a petition with the Supreme Court.
In response, a full bench of Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada, Sapana Pradhan Malla, and Dr Kumar Chudal ruled in 2023, that prisoners can only be released after ensuring victims’ rights are protected, with their consent obtained, and that victims receive compensation and social reintegration.
