Ahmedabad, India Life imprisonment for gang raping a pregnant Muslim woman in 2002 Hindu-Muslim riots Eleven Hindu men sentenced to remission have been released on remission, officials said Tuesday, drawing criticism from the victims' widows, lawyers and politicians.
A top Panch Mahal official told Reuters that the District Prison Advisory Committee recommended the release of the 11 after considering their time spent in prison and their good behavior.
"The fact is that they spent nearly 15 years in prison on him and were eligible for remission," said Sujarjayantivai his Mayatra.
Indian law allows a convicted person to seek release after his 14-year sentence, officials said.
Media footage shows a man touching the leg of one of his inmates outside the prison before giving him a treat as a sign of respect.
The victim's widow told Reuters he was disappointed because many family members had also died in the riots.
"We lost our families and wanted to live in peace, but suddenly something like this happened," said Yakub Rasul. ``There was no prior information about their release from the courts or the government. He said it was inconsistent with the government's stated policy of encouraging women in high countries.
It is both ethically and ethically inappropriate," senior attorney Anand Yagnik said. "What signal are you trying to send?"
