Kolkata/Malda: A 104-year-old man was released from Malda Correctional Home in West Bengal after spending 36 years in jail. After his release, the elderly man poured out his heart and said that he would like to spend time with his family as well as do gardening. This elderly man named Rakshit Mandal was arrested in 1988 on charges of murder of his brother in a land dispute case. After this, in 1992, the District and Sessions Court of Malda convicted him in this case and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Mandal stated his age as 108 years, son made correction
Rakshit Mandal was released on bail for almost a year and was given parole for the second time, but after the parole time was over, he went to jail again. Mandal, a resident of Manikchak in Malda district, while coming out of the gate of Malda Correctional Home on Tuesday, said that now he will devote his entire time to gardening and taking care of plants. He said that he will also spend time with family members. When Mandal was asked how old he was, he said 108 years, but his son who accompanied him corrected it and said his age was 104 years.
'I want to spend time taking care of plants in the garden'
Correctional Home officials said that according to the records, Mandal's age is 104 years. Rakshit Mandal, looking quite fit for his age, said, 'I don't remember how many years I spent in jail. It seemed as if it would never end. I don't even remember when I was brought here. Now I have come out and want to spend time in my passion i.e. taking care of the plants in the small garden in my courtyard. I missed my family and grandchildren. I want to be with them. Mandal's son Prakash Mandal said his father was released following the Supreme Court order.
'Supreme Court cleared the way for his release'
Prakash Mandal said, 'After spending a lot of time in jail, every prisoner has the right to be released from jail, provided he has not committed any wrongdoing during the sentence, this is what our lawyer told us. We are happy that the Supreme Court has finally cleared the way for his release. In the year 1992, District and Sessions Court Malda had sentenced Mandal to life imprisonment, at that time he was 72 years old. However, he was released on bail during the hearing in Calcutta High Court.
'I am innocent and a victim of circumstances'
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