Chandigarh, January 13: The Punjab Home Department has issued instructions banning “mulaqaats” with prisoners in all Central, District and Sub-Jails in the State, three days prior to the polling date of 4th February, 2017. This follows a meeting of the top State Government Officials with the Election Commission of India here, last evening.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home), K.B.S.Sidhu stated that 4th February, 2017 having been already declared holiday in the State on account of polling, would also be covered by this ban. In case of any emergency, “mulaqaat” shall be permitted only with the prior approval of Additional Director General of Police (Prisons). In view of this ban, 5th February, 2017, Sunday, which is otherwise a closed day for “mulaqaats” would operate as normal working day to facilitate the clearing of the backlog.
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An official spokesperson further revealed that the State Home Department had frozen the processing as well as implementation of the cases of furlough, temporary release, premature release, remission and pardon etc. pertaining to prisoners, in view of the enforcement of the Election Code of Conduct. Even where the orders of the Competent Authority had been obtained but the same had not been implemented, the same would be held in abeyance till the polling was over. This order would, however, be subject to an exception where a Competent Judicial Court has passed any specific orders in this behalf, which required a time-bound compliance. This order, it was clarified, would not apply to release orders and bails granted by Competent Judicial Courts.
The official spokesperson further stated that comprehensive short term and medium-term plan had been put into action to ensure that the purity of the Election process was not in any way disturbed by unscrupulous persons operating from within and outside the jails in the State.