Andhra Pradesh government will soon set 948 life convicts free from various prisons across the State, official sources said.
The State Cabinet, which met here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, approved the release of these prisoners based on the recommendation made by a high-level committee headed by Principal Secretary (Home) Ajay Misra, they said.
Though the Director General of Police and the Chief Secretary issued proceedings for release of 963 eligible life convicts for special remission, the committee headed by the Principal Secretary (Home) rejected 15 names in view of the past record.
The list recommended by the Principal Secretary (Home) has now been approved by the Cabinet, a minister said.
The matter would be placed before the state Governor for necessary orders.
Of the 948 life convicts cleared for premature release, 28 are women and 35 are senior citizens over the age of 65 years.
The names of those to be released through the special remission have not yet been announced.