Parliament Question: Remission of prisoners

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2164 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH MARCH, 2026/ PHALGUNA 20, 1947 (SAKA) REMISSION OF PRISONERS 2164 DR. VIKRAMJIT SINGH SAHNEY: Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether several prisoners lodged in various prisons have completed minimum prescribed sentence, including eligibility for remission and awaiting final decisions; (b) whether it is a fact that the Sentence Review Board of Government of NCT of Delhi has, in certain cases, already recommended remission; (c) if so, the present status of such recommendations pending with the competent authority; (d) the number of remission cases pending with Government; (e) details of remission given to prisoners in last five years; and (f) whether Government proposes to issue time-bound and uniform guidelines for expeditious consideration of remission cases if so, details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR) (a) to (f): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles prison statistics reported to it by the States and Union Territories (UTs) and publishes the same in its annual publication “Prison Statistics India.” The latest published report is of the year 2023. The specific information sought in the question is not maintained centrally.-2- R.S.US.Q.NO. 2164 FOR 11.03.2026 No case of remission under Article 72 of the Constitution of India, in which the Sentence Review Board of Government of NCT of Delhi has recommended remission, is pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at present. “Prisons/persons detained therein” is a ‘State-List’ subject under Entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Administration and management of prisons and prisoners is the responsibility of respective States/UTs, who are competent to take appropriate decision in the matter of grant of remission to prisoners, in accordance with the relevant provisions of law. However, MHA had prepared a Model Prison Manual in the year 2016 and had shared it with all States and UTs in May, 2016. This Model Prison Manual 2016 has a specific chapter on “Remission”, which provides detailed guidelines in the matter of granting remission to prisoners. *****