A case pending with the Mumbai customs on Saturday stalled the release of Peter Bleach, who is serving a life sentence at the Alipore Central Jail in Kolkata for his role in the sensational Purulia armsdrop.

President A P J Abdul Kalam has remitted Bleach's remaining sentence in the armsdrop case.

West Bengal Home Secretary A K Deb said the matter has now been referred the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

''Bleach can be released only if he has no other case against him under any other law,'' Deb said.

He did not specify any date when Bleach would be likely released.

Officials from the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata had arrived at the jail at around 1030 IST to talk to the authorities in connection with Bleach's release.

The home secretary had earlier said he had received a copy of Bleach's release order from the Department of Justice and forwarded it to the jail authorities.