MAHARASHTRA PRISONS (MUMBAI FURLOUGH AND PAROLE) (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2020

PREAMBLE

In exercise of the powers Conferred by clauses (5) and (28) of section 59 of the Prisons Act (IX of 1894), in its application to the State of Maharashtra, and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Government of Maharashtra hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Maharashtra Prisons (Mumbai Furlough and Parole) Rules, 1959, namely:

Rule - 1.

The rules may be called the Maharashtra Prisons (Mumbai Furlough and Parole) (Amendment) Rules, 2020.

Rule - 2.

In sub-rule -(1) of rule 19 of the Maharashtra Prisons (Mumbai Furlough and Parole) Rules, 1959, after clause (B) the following clause shall be added, namely :--

"(C) On declaration of epidemic under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, by State Government:

(i)       For convicted Prisoners whose maximum punishment is 7 years or less, on their application shall be favorably considered for release on emergency parole by the Superintendent of Prison for a period of 45 days or till such time that the State Government withdraws the Notification issued under the Epidemics Diseases Act, 1897, whichever is earlier. The initial period of 45 days shall stand extended periodically in blocks of 30 days each, till such time that the said Notification is in force (in the event the said Notification is not issued within the first 45 days). The convicted prisoners shall report to the concerned police station within whose jurisdiction they are residing, once in every 30 days.

(ii)      For convicted prisoners whose maximum sentence is above 7 years shall on their application be appropriately considered for release on emergency parole by Superintendent of Prison, if the convict has returned to prison on time on last 2 releases (whether on parole or furlough), for the period of 45 days or till such time that the State Government withdraws the Notification issued under the Epidemics Diseases Act, 1897, whichever is earlier. The initial period of 45 days shall stand extended periodically in blocks of 30 days each, till such time that the said Notification is in force (in the event the said Notification is not issued within the first 45 days). The convicted prisoners shall report to the concerned police station within whose jurisdiction they are residing, once in every 30 days :

Provided that the aforesaid directions shall not apply to convicted prisoners convicted for serious economic offences or bank scams or offences under Special Acts (other than IPC) like MCOC, PMLA, MPID, NDPS, UAPA etc. (which provide for additional restrictions on grant of bail in addition to those under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) and also presently to foreign nationals and prisoners having their place of residence out of the State of Maharashtra.