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
Irans Revolutionary Guards threaten major US tech firms with retaliatory strikes starting April 1
March 31, 2026
-
News
'Come close, we are waiting for you': Iran signals warning as US expands military options in Middle East
March 31, 2026
-
News
'Open Strait of Hormuz or face devastation': Donald Trump issues stark warning
March 31, 2026
-
News
Tennis icon Leander Paes joins BJP ahead of Bengal polls
March 31, 2026
-
News
Unsubstantial allegations: Calcutta HC dismisses plea on ECIs officer transfers in Bengal
March 31, 2026
-
News
'India has become free from Naxal violence: Amit Shah makes bold claim ahead of deadline
March 30, 2026
-
News
Quit as HDFC Bank part-time chairman over values, ethics: Atanu Chakraborty
March 30, 2026
-
News
Big terror bust: Lashkar commander Shabbir Ahmad Lone arrested near Delhi border
March 30, 2026
-
News
Nitish Kumar quits as Bihar CM after Rajya Sabha entry
March 30, 2026
-
News
Vee Vault Capital invites first cohort of high-potential founders
March 14, 2026
