Patna, Dec. 4: Their term had expired months ago but freedom eluded them. It was finally yesterday that the five prisoners walked free and reunited with their families after an overstay in Munger divisional jail.

The family members, who were waiting outside the jail with sweets and flowers, hugged Vijay Mandal, Rajesh Mandal, Bhudeo Yadav, Ganga Yadav and Anil Yadav.

The five were freed on the recommendations of the remission board, which had cleared their names for release at its meeting held on October 28, 2011.

By then, the prisoners had, however, overstayed for over one-and-a-half-years, as their cases were not taken up at the meeting of the remission board on time. Sources said while Vijay and Rajesh overstayed for over 19 months, Bhudeo, Ganga and Anil remained in prison for about 22 months even after completing jail term.

Om Prakash Poddar, a Munger-based advocate, said Vidhik Pahal, a social organisation working for the welfare of the prisoners, had submitted a petition to the Bihar State Human Rights Commission (BSHRC) on August 30, 2011, seeking its intervention in overstaying of a large number of prisoners in state jails.

Commission chairman Justice (retired) S.N. Jha, who took strong exception to the matter, asked the petitioner to give some specific examples as it was not possible for the commission to look into such a large number of complaints. The organisation later submitted the list of five such prisoners lodged in the Munger divisional jail.

“Subsequently, the BSHRC issued a directive to the state government on September 28, 2011, recommending the release of all the five prisoners, as they had served 14 years sentence (20 years with remission),” Poddar said.

The petition read that Vijay had completed 14 years in prison on January 31, 2010, while Rajesh’s term ended on May 3, 2010. Similarly, Bhudeo’s term ended on February 4, 2010. Ganga and Anil completed their 14 years in jail on February 7, 2010.

A prison department official posted at the Munger jail earlier said the jail superintendent released the prisoners after completion of jail term. “But now, the decision to release the prisoners after completion of jail term is taken by the Bihar Rajya Dandahar Parihar Parishad headed by home secretary,” he added.

Remission is granted to the convicted prisoners for their good work and behaviour with fellow prisoners during stay in the prison. On an average, two months remission is granted to such prisoners every year, a source in the prison department said.

While bidding adieu to the released prisoners, the jail officials advised them to lead a good life. “Start life afresh and don’t take to crime again. Don’t return to jail,” Alok Kumar, an executive magistrate holding the additional charge of Munger jail superintendent, told the prisoners.

The release of the prisoners, who were awarded life term on murder charges, however, coincided with the foundation day celebrations of Munger district. “Our release coincides with the foundation day celebrations organised by the district administration for the first time,” said a visibly happy Vijay, the first to come out of the prison.