Gujarat government grants 15-day Diwali parole to 143 eligible prisoners
The 15-day leave will allow 103 male prisoners over 60 and 40 female inmates to celebrate the festival with their families.
The Gujarat government has sanctioned 15-day Diwali parole for 143 eligible inmates in various state jails, according to reports by Hindustan Times and ANI. The decision was made under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi as part of prison reform and welfare programmes.
The parole period will begin on Dhanteras, on November 6, 2026. The group of beneficiaries consists of 103 male prisoners aged 60 years or above and 40 female prisoners.
The state government has provided 15 days of parole every year for the Diwali festival since 2003. This policy allows eligible women and men aged 60 or older to spend the festival with their families.
Director General of Police (Gujarat Prisons and Correctional Department) K L N Rao stated that prisoners involved in serious offences are not eligible for this parole under state rules.
Those excluded from the benefit include prisoners with pending High Court appeals, NRI prisoners, and those from other states. The exclusion also applies to prisoners serving sentences under the NDPS Act, TADA, and POTA.
Other ineligible groups include those involved in terrorist activities, economic crimes, or multiple offences. Prisoners convicted of crimes such as rape, kidnapping, robbery, dacoity, theft, or extortion, and those under preventive detention orders are also barred.