Draft strict rules to deny parole to persons convicted of sexual offences, Maharashtra CM tells officials

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday sought the drafting of stringent rules to ensure that parole is not granted to persons convicted of sexual offences.

The directive, which was given during a Cabinet meeting held in Mumbai during the day, comes amid the case of a 65-year-old man with a criminal record who allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered a four-year-old girl at Narsapur in Bhor tehsil of Pune district on May 1.

Mr. Fadnavis noted that the accused in the case had committed similar offences twice earlier and highlighted the need to prevent repeat offenders from misusing parole. The accused was booked on charges of sexual harassment in 1998 and 2015 and later acquitted in both cases, according to the police.