nil
Release under-trials if they have served half-sentence: SC
New Delhi, Sept 5 (IBNS): In what can prove to be a big relief to lakhs of prisoners, the Supreme Court on Friday in a landmark order said that under-trial prisoners who have served half the sentence for the offence they have been charged with can be released.
The SC instructed the judicial officers all over the country to visit jails and release “under-trials” who qualify.
It has set a two-month deadline, ending December 1, for release of all under-trial prisoners who have served a period which is more than half the maximum sentence for their crime.
But, it also stated, those facing charges that warrant death sentence will not, however, be freed.
The top court has observed that of nearly four lakh prisoners across the country, nearly two-thirds, or 2.5 lakh, have spent years in jail without being convicted because of prolonged trial process prevalent in this country’s slow justice system.
The top court passed the order while hearing a petition on foreign prisoners kept in Indian jails far beyond the sentence for their offence.
The apex court said, though the law provides for the release of prisoners if they have completed half the sentence for their offence, the rule has been overlooked more often than not.
The apex court has asked all lower court judges to hold court once a week from October 1 inside the jails to facilitate passing orders for the release of such under-trials.
The top court also asked Centre to take lead in fast-tracking criminal justice system by increasing allocation to states for this purpose.
The bench said, “To deal with 30 million cases we just have 16,000 judges in the country, which is the worst case-to-judge ratio in the world.”
It is expected that the order will provide relief to thousands of prisoners who have been languishing in jails waiting for their trial in courts.
“It is good that the SC has come out with this proposition, a corrective step,” said Congress leader PC Chako.
Top Headlines
-
News
India, China have completed disengagement: Reports
October 31, 2024
-
News
Uzbekistan parties supporting President Mirziyoyev win parliamentary elections as country undergoes reforms
October 29, 2024
-
News
Sanction Indian diplomats, ban RSS: anti-India Canadian leader Jagmeet Singh goes ballistic
October 16, 2024
-
News
Hezbollah drone attack on military base kills four Israeli soldiers
October 14, 2024
-
News
Trudeau govt's vote bank politics: India toughens stand against Canada after latest tirade over Nijjar killing
October 14, 2024
-
News
Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for Baba Siddique's murder, sends Salman Khan a message
October 14, 2024
-
News
RG Kar: Bengal junior doctors to hold protest march to Raj Bhavan on 10th day of hunger strike today
October 14, 2024
-
News
Tamil Nadu derailment: 19 injured in Darbhanga Bagmati Express collision with goods train, 13 coaches jump track
October 12, 2024
-
News
Distasteful and disgraceful: Amit Shah on Mallikarjun Kharge's 'won't die till Modi is removed from power' remark
September 30, 2024
-
News
Keep Gods away from politics: Supreme Court slams Andhra govt over Tirupati laddoo row
September 30, 2024