I-Day: Government grants remission to convicted prisoners
REGIONAL: In honor of the 80th Independence Day on August 15, the Government of Nagaland, under the authority of Article 161 of the Constitution of India, granted remission of sentences to specific categories of prisoners convicted by local courts. The Home Department of the state regulates remission applies to those serving rigorous imprisonment.
The remission scale is tiered based on the length of each prisoner’s sentence: those sentenced to 10 years and above receive 30 days’ remission, those with sentences ranging from 5 to 10 years receive 20 days, those with 1 to 5 years get 10 days and those with sentences of up to 1 year receive 5 days’ remission. However, eligibility is contingent upon certain exclusions and conditions outlined in the order.
Prisoners convicted for specific offenses are not eligible for remission. This includes persons convicted under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, or various other laws that fall under Central Government executive jurisdiction.
Excluded categories include those convicted under the Foreigners Act, Passport Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other serious offenses such as sections of the Indian Penal Code related to terrorism, corruption and sexual offenses including rape and assault on women.
Additionally, prisoners who have violated jail rules, such as engaging in violence or smuggling, are also ineligible. Foreign nationals convicted under any Act are excluded from this remission as well.
Following a proposal from the Director General of Prisons, the Governor issued another order granting remission to 29 eligible prisoners in various jails statewide effective from August 15, 2026. Central Jail in Dimapur had the highest number of prisoners granted remission (9), followed by District Jail in Mon (6), Mokokchung (5), Kohima (3) with fewer in other jails. No prisoner in District Jail, Dimapur, Kiphire, Peren and Zunheboto were listed for remission.
These remission orders are set to coincide with the celebration of India's 80th Independence Day marking a significant moment in the state's approach to criminal justice and rehabilitation.