Calcutta, March 13: Mamata Banerjee today announced the release of 40 life convicts who have served more than 18 years in prison, saying the government wanted to give them a chance to lead a normal life.

“There are many life convicts who are languishing in jails even after completing their terms. Though 14 years is considered the maximum term for a lifer, many have spent more than 20 years for lack of proper documents and legal wrangles. We want to give them a chance so that they can lead a normal and peaceful life, ” Mamata said at Writers’.

The record of convicts serving a life term is reviewed after 14 years and they are freed if their conduct is found satisfactory.

Among the 40 is Ranadhir Basu, convicted in the Sudipa Pal case of 1991. On March 20 that year, Basu, who taught Sudipa, had poisoned the girl’s parents and grandparents at Noapara in North 24-Parganas. Basu is currently lodged at Lalgola open-air correctional home.

The chief minister said cases of other prisoners facing a similar situation would also be reviewed.

The Mamata Banerjee government had earlier appointed a committee to review cases of political prisoners.

“The committee had recommended that 52 political prisoners be released. Thirty have already been freed. In case of two, the Centre has objected,” she said.

Mamata had a meeting with law minister Malay Ghatak, director-general of police Naparajit Mukherjee and additional director-general of police (law and order) Surajit Kar Purakayastha before the list was drawn up.