New Delhi: Hopes for the premature release of Sikh leader Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, convicted in the Delhi bomb blasts, have once again been dashed. Following a crucial meeting of the Delhi government’s Sentence Review Board (SRB) on December 23, 2025, official orders have been issued. The release pleas of 24 convicts, including Bhullar, have been outright rejected.
The December 23 meeting is now finalized
According to a letter issued by the Delhi Prisons Headquarters on February 6, LG VK Saxena has approved the Sentence Review Board’s recommendations. Official records show that the cases of a total of 50 convicts were considered at this meeting. Of these, 26 prisoners were ordered released.
The board deemed 24 others, including Bhullar, ineligible for release. Of the 26 prisoners ordered to be released, 12 will report to the station house officer (SHO) of their local police station (where their case was registered) on the first week of each month. A foreign prisoner lodged in Tihar Jail has been ordered to be deported immediately upon release. All 26 prisoners being released were serving life sentences (20 years). Two of them, Sanjay Kumar and Mohammad Yunus, had already completed their sentences, while the remaining prisoners were due to complete their life sentences within two to five years.
Bhullar has been in hospital for a long time
Professor Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, the main accused in the horrific Delhi bomb blasts, has been serving a long prison sentence. For the past few years, he has been hospitalized due to his deteriorating mental condition. Sikh organizations and various human rights groups have consistently demanded his release on humanitarian grounds. However, considering the report from security agencies and the gravity of the crime, the board has once again placed his file in the ‘reject’ category.
Release of these prisoners also cancelled
Other convicts awaiting release whose names are included in the rejected list include Puran Singh alias Vipin, Usman Khan alias Bunty, Rajendra alias Jinder, and Chetan. The board has clarified that all 24 convicts should be informed of their orders through the prison administration. While Bhullar has suffered a setback, there is good news for 26 other life convicts. Under Section 473 of the Indian Civil Service Code (BNSS), Lieutenant Governor Saxena has ordered the remission of their remaining sentences. These include Dalit Singh, Irfan Badshah, and Mohit Chauhan.
Release will be subject to strict conditions
It should be noted that the administration has imposed strict conditions on the prisoners being released. Tihar Jail Deputy Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Sharma stated that the 12 convicts on the list will not be allowed to enter Delhi for one year after their release. Most of the convicts will be required to report to the SHO of their local police station every first week of every month for a year after their release. One foreign prisoner on the list, Kenneth Chidi Onyaghala (Nigeria), will be deported to his country immediately after his release. The Director General of Prisons has directed all prison superintendents to inform prisoners currently out on parole or furlough of the orders by sending wireless messages through the police. They have also been instructed to submit a compliance report of this entire process to headquarters.
Sentence Review Board Meetings at Least Twice a Year
It is noteworthy that the Sentence Review Board, constituted by the Home Department of the Government to review the sentences of convicted prisoners, meets at least twice a year. It decides on the review of sentences of prisoners in prison. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, its chairperson, is the final competent authority, approving the Board’s recommendations. The Home Department of the Delhi government manages the entire process. It includes the Deputy Secretary (Home/Prisons), who coordinates and issues orders. The Director General (Prisons) and Deputy Inspector General are responsible for implementing the Board’s decisions. The Law Officer (Prison Headquarters) and police officers from the relevant areas are also responsible. If the case is investigated by a central agency such as the CBI, the Board’s recommendations also require the concurrence of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The release of these 26 prisoners was approved.
Name
Date of completion of 20-year sentence
Dalip Singh
08.11.2028
Irfan Badshah
12.06.2028
Kenneth Chidi Oniyaghala
05.09.2031
Mohit Chauhan
08.06.2031
Rohtash
03.10.2029
Sanjeev Mahajan
13.10.2029
Mohammed Shahid
04.08.2031
Somnath alias Putli
01.05.2030
Subhash Chandra
21.05.2029
Vinod alias Vinoda
09.01.2029
Babu Lal
09.03.2026
Sanjay Kumar alias Sanju
Already completed sentence
Mohammed Yunus has already completed his sentence.
Amarjeet Singh alias Raju (September 15, 2031)
Amit Kumar (November 22, 2029)
Anil Kumar (January 23, 2030)
Arshad (September 4, 2031)
Birju Kumar Paswan (June 29, 2030)
Brijesh alias Birju (December 15, 2030)
Chandgi Ram (December 29, 2029)
Deepak Rawat alias Deepu (February 13, 2030)
Dharmendra Kumar Paswan (July 26, 2031)
Harjeet Singh alias Raju (June 23, 2031)
Humesh alias Babu (September 1, 2031)
Parveen alias Naveen (April 30, 2031)
Jhunde Lal (February 9, 2031)
The Sentence Review Board has rejected the premature release applications of the following 24 convicts, including Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar.
Dal Chand
Puran Singh alias Vipin
Usman Khan alias Bunty
Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar
Rajinder alias Jinder
Chetan
Rahul alias Buddh Prakash
Ajay alias Gadnu
Ajay alias Sundar Pal
Anil
Kaushal Singh
Mehtab
Anil alias Rajesh
Gariba
Ashish alias Kali alias Amar
Ashutosh Tiwari alias Sonu
Deepak Kumar Gautam
Bhan Pratap
Dinesh Kumar
Bhutana
Hemant alias Pandit
Jagbir Singh alias Tony
Jaswant
Rahul Gupta
