Nagaland Governor grants remission of sentences to 41 convicts

DIMAPUR — The Home Department has informed that in celebration of the 79th Independence Day on August 15 and consequent to the proposal submitted by the Director General (Prisons), the Governor of Nagaland, in exercise of the power conferred by Article 161 of the Constitution of India, has granted remission of sentences of prisoners of certain categories.

According to a DIPR report, these include convicts who have been convicted by the courts (other than Court Martial) having criminal jurisdiction in the state of Nagaland and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment.

The prisoners concerned are lodged in the jails of Nagaland and outside, other than those in respect of whom the sentence is inflicted for an offence against, or the Order referred to in Sub-section 6 of Section 432 of the said Code, passed under any law relating to which the executive powers of the central government extend.

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A total of 41 convicts are covered under this remission order. Central Jail, Dimapur, recorded 17 convicts; District Jail, Dimapur, 2; District Jail, Mon, 8; District Jail, Kohima, 2; District Jail, Wokha, 3; District Jail, Tuensang, 4; District Jail, Phek, 3; and District Jail, Longleng, 2. District Jails in Peren, Mokokchung, Kiphire, and Zunheboto recorded no convicts eligible under this remission.

The scale of remission of sentence for different categories has also been specified. Prisoners sentenced to 10 years and above will receive 30 days remission; those sentenced from 5 to 10 years will receive 20 days remission; those sentenced from 1 to 5 years will receive 10 days remission; and those sentenced up to 1 year will receive 5 days remission.

However, the remission is not admissible to certain categories of prisoners. These include those convicted under the Foreigners Act, Passport Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Sections 3 to 10 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

It is also not admissible to those convicted under Sections 2 to 3 of the Criminal Amendment Act, 1961, Sections 121 to 130 of IPC, and Sections 107/109 of CrPC. Prisoners convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, or convicted of rape, attempt to rape or assault on women, are also excluded.

In addition, convicted prisoners found violating jail rules and discipline, such as threatening, intimidation, quarrelling, beating of fellow prisoners or staff, and smuggling of contraband and prohibited articles, as well as foreign nationals convicted under any Acts, are not eligible.

The Remission Order will take effect from September 12, 2025.