Gujarat Grants 15-Day Diwali Parole to 143 Prisoners

The parole will be effective from November 6, 2026, coinciding with Dhanteras. The beneficiaries include 103 male prisoners aged 60 years or above and 40 female prisoners.

The state government has been implementing the annual Diwali parole initiative since 2003 as part of its prison reforms and prisoner welfare measures. The benefit is available to eligible senior male and female prisoners serving sentences in state jails.

Director General of Prisons Dr K.L.N. Rao said prisoners convicted of serious offences are excluded from the scheme. These include those involved in rape, kidnapping, robbery, dacoity, theft and extortion, as well as prisoners convicted in multiple cases.

Prisoners with pending High Court appeals, NRIs, inmates belonging to other states, and those convicted under the NDPS Act, TADA and POTA are also excluded. The restrictions further apply to individuals linked to terrorist activities or offences affecting the state’s economy and those covered by restrictive orders. DeshGujarat