Indian media reports that two inmates sentenced to life imprisonment for murder met and fell in love in prison, and were granted a 15-day parole by the local court to get married on Saturday (24th).
According to India Today, 31-year-old female prisoner Seth and 29-year-old Prasad met and fell in love in an open prison in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan, and decided to get married. The local high court specially granted a 15-day parole, allowing them to leave prison for marriage and then return to complete their sentences.
Open Prisons Allow Inmates to Work Outside
Prasad and Seth were both transferred from regular prisons to open prisons a year ago, where they met and have been in love for nearly a year.
The open prison system that enabled their romance started in 1972 as part of prison reforms in Rajasthan. Inmates who have completed about 7 years in regular prisons, shown good behavior, and have been assessed as low risk for repeat offenses, may be selected to serve their sentences in open prisons.
Open prisons have dozens of rooms but only a few staff members. Prisoners are not confined to cells; they can move freely and even go out to find work to support themselves. They are allowed to go out from 7am and must return to the prison by 7pm. Their families are even allowed to move in and live with them inside the prison. Fights and crimes are strictly prohibited; if inmates break these rules, they are sent back to regular prisons to serve their sentences.
Groom Prasad committed murder in 2017 at the request of his taekwondo athlete girlfriend Santosh, killing Santosh's husband. Santosh's three children and nephew, who lived with them, witnessed the entire process. She then asked Prasad to kill the children and nephew to eliminate witnesses, a case that shocked the local area.
As for bride Seth, who was originally a model, in 2018 she meticulously planned the kidnapping of businessman Sharma, whom she met on Tinder, and extorted ransom in order to pay off the debts of her boyfriend Kamra. Seth and two accomplices kidnapped Sharma, then demanded 1 million rupees (43,700 ringgit) in ransom from his father, who managed to raise only 300,000 rupees (13,100 ringgit). Fearing that releasing the 'hostage' would expose her, Seth and her accomplices decided to kill him, stuffed the body in a suitcase, and abandoned it. They stabbed Sharma's face multiple times to prevent the body from being identified.
Both Bride and Groom Convicted of Murder, Victim's Family Challenges Parole
Given that both Prasad and Seth committed serious crimes, the court's approval of parole for their marriage has sparked public dissatisfaction locally. The family of Sharma, murdered by Seth, stated they would challenge the parole decision. The relatives said the court did not notify them about the parole and vowed to appeal to the end.