scorecardresearch
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Support Our Journalism
HomeJudiciaryPrisoners released during Covid second wave to not surrender until further orders,...

Prisoners released during Covid second wave to not surrender until further orders, SC says

The top court also asked the High Powered Committees of states to file within 5 days the norms adopted in implementing its 7 May orders on prisoners' release to decongest jails.

Follow Us :
Text Size:

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered that prisoners, who were released by the high powered committees (HPCs) of states during the second wave of COVID-19 following its direction, will not be asked to surrender until further orders.

A special bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana also asked the HPCs of states to file within five days the norms being adopted by them in implementing its May 7 orders on release of prisoners for decongesting jails.

The top court also asked the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to file a report after getting details from states’ HPCs about the norms followed by them.

Taking note of the “unprecedented surge” in COVID-19 cases, the bench on May 7 had ordered the immediate release of prisoners who were granted bail or parole last year.

It had observed that the decongestion of prisons housing around four lakh inmates across the country is a matter concerning “health and right to life” of prisoners and police personnel.

All those who were allowed to go out on bail in March last year by the high-powered committees of states and Union Territories be granted the same relief without any reconsideration to avoid delay, the top court had said.


Also read: SEBI moves Supreme Court against SAT order on Franklin Templeton’s new debt schemes


 

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular