In Bihar, 44 prisoners to be released on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary

The Samrat Choudhary government has announced plans to release 44 prisoners from various jails across Bihar on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, 2026. This marks the fourth time in eight years that prisoners have been released on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. The majority of those being released are elderly and have been serving lengthy sentences.

Among them, two prisoners are over 90 years old, eight are over 80, and 20 are in the 70-80 age range. Additionally, one prisoner with a serious illness will be released on humanitarian grounds. A woman has also been granted release after serving nearly 20 years in Purnia Jail. Notable among the released prisoners are Rambriksh Koeri, aged 93, who will be freed from Rohtas jail, and Yogeshwar Yadav, Harivansh Ram at 84, and Ramashish Yadav at 82, all from Madhepura, as well as Satyanarayan Singh and Pankaj Gupta, both aged 82 and suffering from serious illnesses.

The prisoners' release is based on recommendations from the State Prisoners’ Remission Committee and is guided by humanitarian considerations, social rehabilitation, and public welfare. The decision reflects the government's commitment to providing an opportunity for these elderly and infirm prisoners to return to their families and reintegrate into society.

Furthermore, the state government will provide financial assistance of approximately ₹3.86 crore to 1,820 beneficiary families of crime victims on the same day.