Sir — This refers to the editorial, “In the cause of justice” (September 8). It is heartening to know that the Supreme Court will facilitate the release of undertrial prisoners who have completed half of their maximum term languishing in jail without being convicted.
It’s a huge respite to them as the state has barely shown genuine concern for them. There are several jails in the country that are over-filled with undertrials waiting to be tried but, owing to the sluggish judicial system and lack of surety amounts, are condemned to serve imprisonment. The Centre and the State Governments pay attention to high-profile cases which can help them get votes through populism, but they are not concerned about the poor undertrials who cannot gather the means to be free.
It is imperative that equal importance is paid to all the pending cases which are before the courts across the country, so that Government get rid of the extra additional burden which goes into the expenditure of keeping the over-crowded population of the undertrials prisoners in jail. It is bizarre that often the corrupted or tainted politicians or high-profile people get more comfort and facilities in jail even for a small term, while the others have to put up with harsh conditions for longer periods of time.
The apex court’s milestone directive has also come as a ray of hope for those prisoners who might be facing jail terms for some small offences or framed charges and could not afford the legal battle.