Bhai Waryam Singh, who was convicted for life in a TADA case in a murder case, was released today. . He has been lodged in Bareilly jail in Uttar Pradesh jail for the past 25 years and 8 months.
Bhai Waryam Singh’s son Jaswinder Singh said he tried hard for several years for the release of his father, but in vain. “Along with my father, two other persons —Wassan and Major Singh — were arrested in a criminal case under TADA. Wassan Singh passed away in jail some years ago and Major Singh was released in 2013.
“Only my father was not released,” he said, adding that the family had given up hope that his father would ever be released. The family, originally from Lopo Chaugawan Thatha village, is settled in a village near Philbhit in UP for the past several decades. “I was just 5 years old when my father was arrested in 1990,” he said.
Sources said his case had been reviewed at the top level in the Uttar Pradesh Government. First, he may be released on parole and later on a regular basis. It is learnt that he has never been released on parole.
Some weeks ago, the Union Home Ministry had said it had no objection on Waryam’s release in a TADA case keeping in view his old age and good conduct. However, he was not released in another case under which he was lodged in jail. Sources said his file was still pending for clearance for release in the case registered against him under Section 120-B of the IPC. He was convicted for life in 1995, but he has been in jail since April 17, 1990.
Uttar Pradesh Minister for Jails Balwant Singh Ramoowalia said he had been visiting various jails in the state to bring about reforms for the past some time. “Yesterday, I visited Bareilly jail and met Waryam Singh. He told me he was detained under TADA and also tried under Section 120-B of the IPC. I found merit in his plea for release at the earliest,” said Ramoowalia.
Bhai Waryam Singh belongs to Banda village near Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh.