TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Aguada Jail officials Monday informed the Goa State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) that recommendation for pre-mature release of three lifers, who are serving sentence for more than two decades, is pending with the government for over two months.
In its reply to the Commission, Jail Superintendent Gopal Parsekar said a State Board Advisory Meeting (SBAM) had recommended names of three prisoners for pre-mature release.
“The convicts who completed 20 years and more of actual imprisonment undergone, there are cases for pre-mature release recommended by the SBAM which was held in October 2012 and again in April 2013. The decision for their release is pending with the government,” he submitted.
As on July 1, 2013, murder convict Doming D’Costa, aged 62 years, has served 26 years seven months and 25 days while accused Pati Gaonkar (42) has been in jail for 24 years four months and 20 days. The third prisoner Caitano Paul, (60) has been behind bars for 23 years five months and 21 days. The case will come up for arguments on August 26.
The commission had taken suo moto cognizance of the matter after it found that several prisoners are languishing in the Aguada Jail for over 20 years and issued notices to Chief Secretary, Law Secretary and all Superintendents of Jails in this regard.
