Leena Deosthale Walks Out of Jail on Remission After 19 Years in Prison for Abduction and Ransom

Strategic Insights -

Leena Deosthale, a 65-year-old woman who was serving a life sentence for the abduction of orthopaedic surgeon Dr Deepak Mahajan, has been released from jail on remission after spending 19 years in Yerawada Central Prison. Her daughter, Deepti, who is also serving a life sentence, has also applied for remission, which is pending before a Sentence Review Board. Leena and Deepti were arrested in 2006 and sentenced to death, but were later acquitted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment for abduction and ransom. Leena's release marks a milestone in the ongoing discourse on criminal justice reform and rehabilitation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Leena Deosthale, 65, has been released from jail on remission after spending 19 years in Yerawada Central Prison for abduction and ransom.
  • Her daughter, Deepti, is also serving a life sentence and has applied for remission, which is pending before a Sentence Review Board.
  • Leena and Deepti were arrested in 2006 and sentenced to death, but were later acquitted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
  • The state prisons department opposed Leena's remission plea on grounds of her complicity in a serious crime and her appeal against conviction being pending before the Supreme Court.
  • A government resolution of 2006 states that a woman convict is eligible for remission if she has completed 60 years, undergone 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, and is physically weak.
  • Another government resolution of 2008 states that in cases relating to abduction with ransom, a convict is entitled to claim remission if they have spent 10 years in jail with remission, totaling 16 years.
  • Leena's release was secured by depositing a fine of Rs 59,000 on her behalf.
  • A Supreme Court order in 2022 stated that cases of convicts spending 14 years in jail can be referred to the government for considering premature release.

Statistics:

  • 19 years: Leena Deosthale spent in Yerawada Central Prison.
  • 26 years: Total time Leena spent in actual imprisonment and remission since her arrest in 2006.
  • 47 years old: The age of Dr Deepak Mahajan when he was abducted and murdered in 2006.
  • Rs 25 lakh: The ransom demand made by Leena and Deepti in 2006.
  • Rs 59,000: The fine deposited by Leena's lawyer to secure her release on remission.
  • 60 years: The age requirement for a woman convict to be eligible for remission under government resolution 2006.
  • 14 years: The imprisonment requirement for a woman convict to be eligible for remission under government resolution 2006.
  • 10 years: The imprisonment requirement for a convict to claim remission in cases of abduction with ransom under government resolution 2008.
  • 16 years: The total time a convict must have spent in jail with remission to be eligible for remission in cases of abduction with ransom under government resolution 2008.

Sources:

  • Indian Express
  • Pune Mirror
  • Times of India
  • Supreme Court order of September 15, 2022
  • Government resolution of 2006
  • Government resolution of 2008
  • Indian Penal Code, Section 364 (a)