Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is serving a one-year sentence in a road rage case, is expected to be released from jail on January 26. After this, posters have been put up at various places in Ludhiana in support of the leader. Punjab amid speculations of his release. Sidhu was addressed as ‘savior of Punjab’ in the posters.
However, there are still doubts about his early release as no cabinet meeting of the Punjab government is scheduled before February 3. Interestingly, the file is with the Chief Minister, who is yet to clear it. The prison ministry is with CM Bhagwant Mann. So far, the Punjab government has not approved the names of the prisoners to be released on the occasion of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence.
On the other hand, there is still doubt regarding the participation of Navjot Singh Sidhu in the closing rally of Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar on 30th January. Sidhu was to attend the concluding rally of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar along with Priyanka Gandhi but as the Congress leader may have to wait a little longer.
On the occasion of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, following the instructions of the Central Government, the State Governments are giving various exemptions to those prisoners who have good conduct in jail and who are not serving any serious crime sentence.
In Sidhu’s case, as per the rule, he is serving only one year and has spent about 68% of his sentence in jail without parole or furlough.