The Supreme Court on Monday sent a notice to the Bihar government over former MP Anand Mohan's premature release from prison. Mohan, convicted for killing IAS officer G. Krishnaiah, walked free last month following a change in the state government's prison rules.
The apex court's move came as it heard a plea by the slain IAS officer's wife, Uma Krishnaiah, challenging the release of the gangster-turned-politician. Responding to the SC directive, she said: “We are happy that the Supreme Court has responded positively and issued a notice to the Bihar government and to other people who are involved in it. They have to reply within 2 weeks.”
Krishnaiah was lynched by a mob led by Mohan in 1994. The gangster was convicted to life imprisonment, but was released from Saharsa jail last month following an amendment in Bihar's prison rules. His name figured in a list of more than 20 prisoners who were ordered to be set free by a notification issued by the Bihar government's Law department as they had spent more than 14 years behind bars.
In her plea, Uma argued that relevant factors such as conduct of the prisoner in the jail, past criminal antecedents have been ignored, Live Law stated. It was further argued that the amendment of the state remission policy to facilitate Mohan's release is contrary to public policy and would amount to demoralising public servants.
The Indian Civil and Administrative Service (Central) Association had also released a statement in which it said Mohan's release is 'tantamount to the denial of justice'. The organisation representing IAS officers serving in Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre has also expressed solidarity with Krishnaiah's family and urged Bihar ro reconsider its decision.
