Minister of law, courts and prison denies discrimination against prisoners

Chennai: The Minister of law, courts and prison, C. Ve Shanmughan on Tuesday rejected charges of discrimination in releasing 49 Muslim prisoners who have been languishing in jail for over 15 years. He said the state government did not discriminate against prisoners on the basis of caste or religion.

“Government does not discriminate against prisoners on the basis of caste or religion. The state has spent Rs 8.87 lakh for the medical treatment being given to I Abuthahir in G Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital,” Mr Shanmugham said responding to the demand of Kadayanallur MLA KAM Muhammed Abubacker who sought release of 49 Muslim convicts who were in prison for over 14 years including two seriously ill prisoners on humanitarian grounds.

While participating in the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's Address, Mr Abubacker of IUML said that the case of 49 Muslim prisoners was not consider-ed even when 1,405 prisoners were released prematurely in 2008.

He noted that among the 49 prisoners, Abuthahir and Dindigul Meeran were suffering from chronic ailments Shanmugam said a case was pending in the Madras High Court over the premature release of over 1,400 prisoners by the state government in 2008.

The court had said the release of prisoners was subject to the final order in the matter. He also said incarceration for a period of 14 years does not entitle prisoners to premature release. However, the State government may consider premature release after looking into aspects like recommendation of an advisory board constituted in this regard.

Speaking to reporters later, Abubacker said prisoners could be considered for premature release by the State on grounds like health, good conduct and completion of 14 years in prison.