In a surprise move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday ordered release of as many as 4,000 prisoners and undertrials in the state.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet Sunday when Chief Minister Mayawati declared reprieve to a wide category of old and infirm convicts besides undertrials, languishing in different jails of the state.
The relief would, however, not be admissible to murder convicts.
"The decision was taken to commemorate my first installation as chief minister of the state on June 3, 1995", Mayawati told a luncheon press conference here Sunday afternoon.
The turning point in Mayawati's political career was prompted by an assault on Bahujan Samaj Party legislators by members of the Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party on the previous day at the state guest house in Lucknow.
With Bharatiya Janata Party coming forward to extend their surprise support, Mayawati rode on to power for the first time on June 3, 1995.
Two more stints followed in alliance with BJP only before she assumed the prized office for the fourth time, entirely on the strength of her own party last month.
Sunday's landmark decision would set free all male prisoners above the age of 66 years and female prisoners above 62 years, who had completed half their jail terms on the cut off date, June 3, 2007.
Besides all infirm prisoners who were suffering from terminal diseases like cancer, kidney failure and heart trouble, would also be released.
"The order was issued under certain existing provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the UP Jails Manual," the chief minister pointed out.
"Of course the track record of the prisoners would be scrutinised in all such cases; and certified good behaviour would remain an essential ingredient for their release," she added.