Hyderabad: Telangana approved special remission for 92 life convict prisoners under newly framed permanent guidelines issued in line with Supreme Court directions.
The decision followed the Supreme Court order issued on February 18, 2025, in the Sonadhar versus State of Chhattisgarh case. The court directed state governments to frame permanent policies and timelines for premature release of eligible prisoners.
Accordingly, the Telangana government issued G.O. Ms. No.126 through the Home (Service-V) Department on October 27, 2025. The order established permanent guidelines and fixed cut-off dates for considering special remission three times every year on February 1, June 1 and October 1.
Special remission granted under new policy
The Telangana Prisons Department identified eligible life convicts for remission as of February 1, 2026, and submitted the list to the government for approval.
Jail Superintendents prepared the list according to government guidelines. Subsequently, an internal committee of Inspectors General and Deputy Inspectors General verified the proposals.
Later, a standing committee comprising the Special Chief Secretary to Home, Law Department Secretary and Director General of Prisons scrutinised the recommendations.
After approval from Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the Cabinet, officials forwarded the proposal to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma for final approval.
Special remission clears release process for prisoners
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma convened a meeting on Wednesday to review the proposal submitted by the Telangana Prisons Department.
Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Dr Soumya Mishra and Inspector General of Prisons N. Murali Babu attended the meeting.
Officials approved the proposed list and forwarded it to the government. Consequently, 92 life convicts qualified for consideration under the special remission guidelines.
The list included 86 male prisoners and six female prisoners.
Earlier, the Telangana government issued G.O. Ms. No.37 on July 2, 2024, granting special remission to 213 convicts, including 178 men and 35 women. Authorities subsequently released those prisoners.
The Prisons Department stated that regular release of eligible prisoners based on good conduct would reduce overcrowding in jails. Furthermore, officials said the process would uphold humanitarian values reflected in Supreme Court guidelines.