Take action on releasing prisoners in jail for long: SC to Centre, States
   Date :07-Aug-2022

SC
 
 
NEW DELHI :
 
THE Supreme Court on Friday reiterated that prisoners, especially from the weaker economic social milieu, who have been languishing in jail for 10 years, should be released on bail, and since the country is celebrating 75 years of Independence, some action in this direction should be taken by both the Central and State Governments. A bench of Justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh said, prisoners who are languishing in jail for 10 years should be released on bail and prisoners who have been in jail for 14 years, should be considered for remission.
 
It suggested developing a uniform remission policy, if possible, for all State Governments and in cases where State Governments have an objection to grant bail to some accused, who have spent 10 years or more in prison, those matters could be examined separately. Justice Kaul said: “We are celebrating 75 years of Independence, why can’t some action be taken by State Governments. It is an appropriate time to look into the issue where an accused has been languishing in jail for a long period of time, from the weaker economic social milieu. Accused who have been charged with a single crime.” He added that the Central Government could initiate a discussion with the State Governments in cases where period in custody has exceeded a certain part of the maximum sentence, for example one-third of the sentence. Justice Kaul also emphasised that good behaviour of the prisoner should also be considered as a condition for their release.