Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Ravan to be released from jail

Chandrashekhar was booked for his alleged role in last year's caste violence in Saharanpur district, involving Dalits and upper caste Thakurs.

Members of Bhim Sena stage a protest demanding release of Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Ravan. File

In a major decision, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday decided the early release from jail of Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Ravan, who is behind bars on NSA charges after last year's Saharanpur caste violence. He was to be released on November 1.

Mr. Chandrashekhar was booked for his alleged role in last year's caste violence in Saharanpur district, involving Dalits and upper caste Thakurs.

The UP department, which is under CM Adityanath himself, in a statement said the decision was taken on sympathetic grounds taking into consideration the representations by Mr. Chandrashekhar's mother and the “current situation.”

However, the details are yet to be confirmed.

The Bhim Army founder had challenged his detention under the NSA in the Supreme Court after which the apex court recently issued a notice to the state government.

Two other persons, Sonu and Shivkumar, who were in jail over the Shabbirpur violence, will also be released early. They were to be in jail till October 14.

The government had booked six persons under the NSA last year.