The Supreme Court on Monday directed the state government to grant special parole to under-trial prisoners to decongest prisons in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus outbreak in the jails.
Chhattisgarh advocate general Satish Chandra Verma said the Supreme Court on Monday asked all states to consider releasing prisoners facing sentences of up to seven years and under trial prisoners, in order to decongest prisons in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde directed the states to form a high-powered committee comprising the principal secretary of the state home department, the chairman of the state legal services authority, and the director general of prisons to consider various steps for de-congesting the prisons.
Following the instruction, the state government too will form the committee to decide about release of prisoners serving up to seven year sentences and under-trial prisoners on parole for a limited period, he said.
“The committee will determine which class of prisoners can be released on parole or an interim bail for such period as may be thought appropriate,” he said.
“The Supreme Court has also issued directives to the states to ensure the maximum possible distancing among the prisoners, including under-trials prisoners to minimise the risk of the viral transmission.”
The official further said that the Apex Court also directed that the physical presence of under-trial prisoners before courts "must be stopped forthwith and recourse to video conferencing must be taken for all purposes."