Navjot Sidhu’s name on proposed list of 51 for Republic Day release

Chandigarh: Senior Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is serving a one-year jail term following conviction in a 1988 road rage case, is likely to be released on Republic Day after staying in jail for about 8 months. The list proposing remission for 51 prisoners, including him, will be taken up in the meeting of the council of ministers. Sources in the government said that as per the Centre’s remission policy for Republic Day, Sidhu is eligible for early release. "The state government will not be giving any special relief to him. There is a fixed criterion. The list includes two other prisoners in the state who have completed their sentence but were in jail for not being unable to pay the fine imposed by courts. There are some who have completed 60-70% of their jail term," said a source in the jail department.Once the Cabinet gives the go-ahead, the names will be sent to the Punjab governor for final approval, he said.