Stalemate continues as none of 65 Sikh convicts eligible for release

Chandigarh, July 24
None of the 65 Sikh convicts, for whose release Surat Singh Khalsa is on hunger strike for almost 190 days, is eligible for remission of sentence after today’s order by the Supreme Court, vacating stay over the power of the state governments to remit sentences.
Though the stay was vacated, as per the conditions about the category of convicts to be considered for remission of sentence, none is eligible.
The Bandi Sikh Sangharsh Committee which is spearheading the agitation of Surat Singh Khalsa today asked the Chief Minister to find out a political solution and recommend remission of sentences of the convicts to the Centre.
“We are waiting for a copy of the orders before issuing an official statement, but as per the news reports, none of the convicts seem eligible,” said a police official involved in negotiations with the Sangharsh Committee.
The conditions of release laid down by the SC bars those booked under TADA or by the CBI among other riders. Most of the convicts fall in this category.
“The Badal government has to look for a solution. The government may not have power to remit sentences, but it can recommend remission of sentence to the Centre. As per the procedure, the remission file needs positive recommendation from the panchayat of convict’s native village, the deputy commissioner concerned besides by the police and the jail department. The state can do this as it is within its powers,” said Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, counsel for the Sangharsh Committee.
He had released the list of 82 convicts in January this year when Khalsa launched the protest. Two days ago, he released a revised list of 65 convicts.
The state government was till now stating it had no powers to remit sentences due to stay on it by the Supreme Court. Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal today said the state was helpless on the matter, “As per the Supreme Court orders, the state cannot release the convicts,” he said.