Mahananda Naik, the "Dupatta Killer" of Goa, released by Goa Police on furlough, is the first Serial Killer to be released on Furlough/Parole in history of India.

The primary consideration in granting furlough is public safety.But not for, Goa Police. 4 lessons from History, how allowing Furloughs to Serial Killers can go horribly wrong.

Jun 17, 2023

The 2 unfortunate victims out of 16, whom Mahananda Naik, the “Dupatta Killer” murdered in 15 Years. | Pic Courtesy - Herald Goa

"DUPATTA KILLER" Mahand Naik was allowed to be released on Furlough, by Colvale Central Prison Officials for 21 Days on Thursday, 15th June 2023.

Naik was in prison for past 14 Years, serving life sentences for 3 murder convictions, has murdered 16 women from 1994 to 2009, aged 19 to 25.

A furlough is a temporary release or leave granted to an inmate for a specific period, allowing them to leave the prison facility and spend time outside under certain conditions.This is granted to prisoners who have been sentenced to life imprisonment or long-term sentences.

It may serve as a means of assessing an inmate's behavior and readiness for eventual reintegration into society, providing an opportunity for them to maintain family connections, attend important events, or participate in specific programs or activities that contribute to their rehabilitation. Furloughs for prisoners are generally subject to strict conditions and supervision to ensure public safety and prevent escape or misconduct.

While Mahanand Naik had been in Prison for past 14 Years; had he been a normal convict spending a life sentence in Prison, he would have qualified for furlough, as he has already spent 14 Years in Prison.

But, Mahanand Naik is no ordinary murder convict, he is a Serial Killer, who killed 16 women by his own admissions, in a 15 Year time span.Young, innocent girls from low-income strata were lured and trapped by him, promising marriage; and then were killed by him, after snatching their gold ornaments, with their own "Dupatta".

So, was Goa Police and Colvale Central Prison Jail Suprintendent were wise and prudent enough to grant him a 21 Day furlough, by all means, an unsupervised one, where he can go anywhere and do anything he pleases?

A Strict NO!

In fact, Mahanand Naik is the 1st Serial Killer from India, to be allowed to be released from Prison in India.

The Butcher of Delhi was denied parole last year.

The granting of furlough to individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as serial killers, is highly uncommon and generally extremely rare. Furlough programs are typically designed to apply to non-violent offenders or those who have demonstrated significant progress in their rehabilitation and pose a low risk to society.

Mahananda Naik committed 16 murders over a period of 15 Years, certainly he is not the one who can get reformed by 14 Years in the prison.Nor, there has been any proof provided by Goa Police, to warrant his release.

The primary consideration in granting furlough is public safety.

Given the heinous nature of their crimes and thus the potential danger they pose, serial killers are considered high-risk individuals and are subject to strict security measures and confinement.

Granting furlough to such individuals requires extensive risk assessments and considerations of public safety.Considering the fact, that there are some of the victims of him, still alive; and there would be many persons,who would have testified against him in the trials; "Public Safety" is a thought, which did not even came to Goa Police it seems.

While there have been instances of controversial furlough decisions involving high-profile or serious offenders, it is rare for serial killers or individuals convicted of multiple violent crimes to be granted furlough.

And when, they have been released on Furlough, there have been many instances when these convicts have gone o nto commit further heinous crimes. Below are some of the such cases:

1.Willie Horton Case: In 1986, Willie Horton, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence in Massachusetts, was granted a weekend furlough as part of a prison furlough program. During his furlough, Horton committed rape and assault, which drew widespread criticism and became a central issue in the U.S. presidential campaign.

2.Kenneth Allen McDuff: In the 1960s, McDuff was convicted of multiple murders in Texas. He was sentenced to death but his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. In 1989, he was released on parole. After his release, McDuff went on a killing spree, committing at least nine more murders. His case sparked significant public outrage and led to changes in the parole system.

3.Joseph William Franklin: Franklin was a white supremacist and serial killer who was convicted of multiple murders in the United States. He received a temporary release from prison in 1977 for a family funeral and used that opportunity to commit additional murders. Franklin was eventually captured, convicted, and executed for his crimes.

4.Clifford Olson: Clifford Olson was a Canadian serial killer who murdered 11 children and teenagers in the early 1980s. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In 1987, he was granted a controversial "escort" furlough to accompany police in locating the remains of his victims. While on furlough, Olson attempted to extort money from the families of his victims. This case led to significant public outcry and criticism of the furlough system.

In fact, yesterday one of the former victim of Mahanand Naik wrote to Goa Police, to provide protection, as she felt threatened on the release of serial killer.

Allowing a Serial Killer to be released on 21 Days Furlough, is surely not the record in the annals of Indian Police History, which Goa Police would have wanted to make, but they have indeed. Inspector General of Police Ombir Singh (IPS) heads the Prison Department of Goa Police.